Clothes may help define us, but Dress for Success focuses on building from the inside out. Elena Fodera checks out how this organization is changing lives.
In a town where diversity is a fact of life and appearance is an art form, your choice of attire can open — or close — a lot of doors.
Founded on the notion that when you look good, you feel good, a new organization in Savannah is dressing women for success from the inside out. Dress for Success is a national nonprofit dedicated to helping individual women find their places in the work force. Pearine Reed, director of Dress for Success Savannah, established the local chapter in the spring of 2010.
After one woman’s story sparked her interest, Reed, whose background is in nonprofit work, decided to bring the organization to Savannah.
The Right Fit
“I have always felt a need to help and a connection to the community,” Reed said. “I live in Savannah. I work here. I have children who go to school here.… I love being a part of change.” Seeing the opportunity to do just that, she boldly quit her 9-to-5 and set out to start making changes.
Dress for Success promotes self-sufficiency among disadvantaged women not only by providing professional clothing needed to secure a job, but also by creating a network of support. The organization offers skills development and training that helps women highlight their abilities and build the confidence necessary to seize opportunities.
“We assess where the women are in life,” said Reed. “And then we ask the most important question: where do you want to be? After we suit them, we work with them. We find out, do they need more skills? How else can we help?”
Made to Last
The program originally provided clothing for interviews and the jobs acquired thereafter. It has since expanded to include the Professional Women’s Group, a network of women who have gone on to stable careers and secure lives with the help of Dress for Success. PWG serves as a retention program and as a way for women to connect with and support each other. Meetings offer women help with everything from budgeting to day care solutions.
“The women we help become empowered to pay it forward to the upcoming generation or other women in need,” Reed explained. “Connecting on a personal level allows us to make Dress for Success a lifelong mission.”
Volunteer or donate business attire: 349-4367, www.dressforsuccesssavannah.org.
