| Last updated on September 6, 2007 |
Dress For Success Seattle promotes self-confidence and financial independence for women transitioning into the workplace by outfitting them with interview-appropriate apparel and providing ongoing support after hire.
Description:
Dress For Success Seattle works with clients referred from community agencies to provide interview appropriate apparel & accessories. Appointments are scheduled through case managers for clients to come & collaborate one-on-one with a dynamic volunteer dresser to receive the perfect interview outfit and gain the boost of confidence needed to win in an interview & secure the job. All clothing is donated from various private donors & retailers.
Women making the transition from unemployment to work face myriad challenges, from understanding corporate culture to handling personal finances, often without any support systems in place to help them navigate this daunting change. Born out of necessity, the Professional Women's Group is a unique support & networking group with a life long membership & special opportunities for women after they secure employment. The PWG offers members a comfortable atmosphere in which they can share, grow & network with other women who have recently made the same transition into the workforce. The monthly meetings consist of PWG members connecting with professionals & entrepreneurs from the business community as well as mentors & life coaches to utilize information & help them achieve success in their personal and professional life.
History:
Nancy Lublin founded Dress for Success in 1996 with a $5,000 inheritance from her great-grandfather, Poppy Max. Nancy wanted to honor his memory and legacy by using his hard-earned money to help other people blaze new beginnings.
A law student and new to New York City, Nancy established the organization with three nuns from Spanish Harlem who each ran public service programs. Together, they built Dress for Success New York into a vibrant organization serving women from all over the city and boroughs.
When amazing women from other areas contacted Nancy about bringing Dress for Success to their communities, she trademarked the Dress for Success name, built equity in the brand and then licensed it to these new organizations. By fall of 1998, there were nearly 20 Dress for Success programs. A year later there were close to 50 Dress for Success affiliates in three countries.
Currently as a global organization Dress For Success now has more than 80 "sister" affiliates around the world & all of them share the goal of helping women enter the workforce and turn their jobs into thriving & rewarding careers.
The Fashion Group International was the founding sponsor of Dress for Success Seattle, which began in 1998. In order reach a broader range of clients, DFSS felt it would be advantageous to began a partnership with the YWCA of Seattle King County in January 2002. DFSS has served nearly 5000 clients to date.
Contact people:
Office fax number: (206)325-0720
Address:
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1118 Fifth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101
This location is handicap accessible
(See a map) |
Web Site: http://www.dressforsuccess.org
Directions:
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We are located on the SE corner of 5th Avenue and Seneca Street at the YWCA in Downtown Seattle. You can enter through the 5th Avenue side doors & go straight down the stairs to the basement of the YWCA.
Nearest Bus Stop: Any downtown bus, 1 minute walk |
Miscellaneous Information
| Liability |
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Yes
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| Does your organization welcome court-ordered community service volunteers? |
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Yes
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| Does your organization have volunteer positions for youth 12-18? |
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Yes
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Volunteer Reflections
Post Your Own!
Overall Experience 
What a great group of people
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I've just recently started working with the Dress for Success Seattle group and they are all wonderful. In addition, the clients I have worked with so far have all been really fun. When they leave with a whole outfit and a smile on their face, there is nothing better.
posted by ebaebler on July 17, 2003 |
