What We Do
Our Mission
Dress for Success targets the needs of low-income women by promoting economic security and self-sufficiency to break the chains of generational poverty through job preparation, employment retention and career development programs.
General Information
HOW IT WORKS
CORE services, for every client, include a first-visit expanded assessment and orientation to all programs offered by the agency. Clients are then introduced to the Career Center, including access to interest inventories and on-line skills courses, and individualized plans created for resume and interview preparation. Next is training in professional demeanor and attire to prepare for an employment interview. Once the client secures a job, she is invited back for employment suiting with additional education in continuity of professional appearance and attitude. She is also encouraged to join in on-going job retention and upward mobility activities. TIERED services include both formalized curricular training options in six to twelve week classes, including Financial Literacy & Empowerment and the Going Places Network, as well as 33 front-screen, no-cost, on-line courses, and links to many more. There are also groups for support, networking and leadership training. The pre-employment group is “Pick Your Future” and post-employment is the “Professional Women’s Group.” TIERED services also allow for ad hoc focus groups such as mock interview workshops or a discussion series for ex-offenders. All of these programs are explicated in the Service Plan.WHY IT WORKS
A distinct aspect of Dress for Success is a holistic recognition of each client at her own level of development. We do not fit clients into a predetermined set of template programming; while there are generalized needs shared by the majority of job seekers, we recognize each client as an individual with a unique set of life circumstances. So, we offer a menu of programs to address both universal and personal client needs as well as to maximize efficiencies of both time and staff. CORE services include foundational services provided to all clients. TIERED services provide programs to serve client constituencies across the spectrum of personal and professional development. This plan allows for both continuity and flexibility for clients.
