Well Suited for Work

Written by Trish Donnally

Getting organized?

Weeding out the closet to make room for spring clothes? Give those gently worn suits, blouses, shoes and other accessories to Dress for Success, a national non-profit group that helps low-income women transition into the work force. These women, who are referred to Dress for Success by not-for-profit and government agencies including domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, immigration services and job training programs, need appropriate clothes for interviews.

But Dress for Success provides much more than simply suits. It guides more than 45,000 women in more than 73 cities with career development decisions each year, too.

Volunteers are needed, both men and women, 18 and older, to be personal shoppers and to help with monthly workshops on job-retention issues that span from establishing a good credit rating to getting along with a difficult boss.

“Eighty-one percent of the women who are involved with our program one year or more have maintained their employment,” says Erika Watson, executive director of the DC affiliate of Dress for Success.

E-mail washington@dressforsuccess.org to sign up and help women take charge of their lives. Even offering a bit of encouragement goes a long way with someone who is down on her luck.