Description
In 2011, Dress for Success will serve 2,000+ women.
Dress for Success serves clients by referral only, and women must have an interview scheduled before receiving clothing. Our clients come to us from a continually expanding and diverse group of non-profit and government agencies including homeless shelters, immigration
services, job training programs, educational institutions and domestic violence shelters, among many other organizations. More than 50 organizations throughout the metro-Atlanta area send women to Dress for Success Atlanta for professional apparel and career development services.
On her initial visit a woman receives a
suit appropriate for the industry in which she is interviewing and, if available, accessories. After a woman finds a job she returns to Dress for
Success Atlanta for additional clothing that can be mixed and matched to make several outfits, providing her with the foundation for a professional wardrobe.
While we may be best known for providing suits to women, it is our
employment retention programs that are the cornerstone of the organization. Soon after Dress for Success was founded we came to recognize that finding work is only one step in a woman's journey towards economic independence; remaining employed and building a rewarding career are essential if a woman is to become self-sufficient.
To meet the need for services that would help women both find and keep jobs, we established the Professional Women's Group (PWG) program,
which offers women ongoing support as they successfully transition into the
workforce, build thriving careers and prosper in the mainstream workplace. Once a woman joins the PWG she is a member for life, and can benefit from additional employment retention and mentoring programs.
Dress for Success also has developed
Career Center, an initiative that promotes confidence and professionalism by providing women
career guidance, the chance to acquire technology skills and assistance in their job searches.
Another way in which Dress for Success Atlanta supports women
joining or returning to the workforce is through Steps to Success , an initiative that focuses on the crucial first 30 days of employment, during which newly-hired women face many potential challenges. This program helps women prepare for their new jobs,
identifies barriers they might encounter during their first days, encourages
them to plan for their futures and highlights resources that can assist them
during this transition, including the Professional Women's Group.
Dress for Success relies on the financial contributions, in-kind donations and volunteer efforts of individuals and companies who are
committed to helping women take charge of their lives.
