For our third and final foundation spotlight, we’d like to raise awareness for Dress for Success Worldwide, the leading global non-profit employment resource for unemployed and underemployed women.
A well-respected leader in women’s empowerment, Dress for Success have been at the forefront of women’s economic development for over 26 years. Career development, job skills preparedness, mentoring, coaching, financial education and professional attire services are freely provided to empower the women they serve with the tools and skills to achieve economic independence.
Like Enkay, Dress for Success is driven by the belief that through empowering women, you help empower their families and communities, moving toward a more just and equitable world. Open to all women regardless of age, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic background, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or differing abilities – the organization is firmly committed to diversity and inclusion.
To date, Dress for Success have served 1.3 million+ women in nearly 140 affiliates across 20 countries. Ranging from girls under 18 to women over 60, they have increasingly served women that are 60+, transgender women, and women under refugee status. Of the women the organization serves, 56% are mothers, 40% are single mothers and nearly 50% live below the poverty line.
To keep up with ever-changing work environments, the services offered by Dress for Success are continuously evolving, paying special attention to global geographic cultural differences, economic conditions, workplace trends and industry and market fluctuations.
Services & Programs
Dress for Success design and deliver services and no-fee programs to help unemployed and underemployed women overcome gender-based challenges for every phase of their personal and professional journeys. These include:
- Career coaching: One-on-one support to create resumes and cover letters with impact, strengths-based career counseling and conducting mock interviews.
- Workshops and networking: Group learning experiences that provide women with the opportunity to learn from experts in diverse industries and expand their professional network. Consistently, 85% of financial literacy workshop participants achieve financial stability by the end of the completed program.
- Cohort-based learning: A consistent, supportive environment where women meet weekly or monthly to take part in meaningful discussions and activities via programs like our Professional Women’s Groups.
- Styling and professional attire: Women are provided clothing and accessories for job interviews, building confidence and self-assuredness from the inside out.
Get Involved
There are a couple of ways to support Dress for Success, including donating gift cards or store credit, making a cash donation or volunteering. You could also get involved by supporting the organization’s annual events like the Dress for Success Virtual Power Walk, hosting a donation drive for pre-loved clothing and accessories or becoming a corporate partner.
We hope that by sharing the stories of our three community partners, we have helped to spread awareness and amplify the importance of women empowerment. As we have seen first-hand, by uplifting women, entire communities see their standard of living steadily enhance with an impact that’s felt for generations.