Workforce Success Well Beyond the Suit

By Deborah Drew

few short years ago, when one heard the name of the organization, Dress for Success, it was all about providing workplace, professional attire for women entering or re-entering the workforce.

Locally founded in 2008, Dress for Success Worcester has made the economic mobility of nearly 5,000 women its ultimate priority; it assists low- to moderate-income women by providing a continuum of educational and support services year-round. It knows that it is through meaningful and long-term employment that women achieve economic success, stabilize their families, and strengthen our communities.

“It is such an amazing experience helping women find their voices, identify their own strengths, and develop their self-confidence,” said Justina Lachapelle, Executive Director, Dress for Success Worcester.

“Our individualized approach positions them for success in taking the next step on their career journeys. Transitioning from surviving to thriving with meaningful and long-term employment, their families are stabilized, and our communities are strengthened.”

This year, Dress for Success’ overall goal is to provide at least 266 women with the education and support to obtain a job or move forward in their careers. A National Grid Foundation partner for upwards of three years, Dress for Success Worcester focuses its efforts in areas of Central Massachusetts that exhibit high concentrations of female headed households, families living in poverty and elevated unemployment rates. Four core DFSW programs and services are purposefully designed to address specific barriers to obtaining employment, both the obvious ones like a competitive resume and some not so apparent like the lack of confidence, that women face.

Workplace Readiness Program

The Zooming to Success program -- weekly two-hour group workshops and educational programming, supported by one-to-one career coaching sessions throughout the duration of the 10-week program -helps approximately 30 unemployed and under-employed women gain professional skills, accelerate their job search, and build confidence coaching and networking in a supportive environment. Women overcome obstacles to employment by learning soft skills and attitudes, branding, social media presence, goal setting and career mapping, basic budgeting, and interviewing techniques. The goal of the program is to help participants gain employment or make significant progress on their path to employment.

Career Coaching

Through its Career Center, Dress for Success Worcester takes women’s job readiness “beyond the suit” to help raise the chances of success in the job market by offering one-on-one support and free access to multiple learning activities. It will host approximately 200 coaching sessions for women during the year. By teaching women how to create superior resumes and cover letters, how to hone their interview and technology skills, as well as needed ancillary skills like goal planning and teamwork, it ensures women feel confident and capable when applying for employment.

Suiting Program

More than 120 clients work one-on-one with a volunteer or staff member who helps select professional attire and provides support and encouragement as she prepares for upcoming interviews. Dress For Success provides each client with a professional outfit--and most importantly, positive reinforcement and a boost of confidence. During this appointment, resumes are reviewed, and interviewing skills enhanced. Once employed, she is invited to return for a professional capsule wardrobe. At this time, the client is invited to join the Professional Women’s Group.

Professional Women’s Group

This group of 25 members helps bolster the careers of successfully employed women by providing them with a network of support, practical information, and inspiration to thrive in their workplace or business, and successfully develop a healthy worklife balance. ❧

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