Jackson Free Press

Though most women may have the desire to be successful, some need a hand—and a suit. Dress for Success prepares disadvantaged women to enter or re-enter the work force. The international non-profit organization provides women with clothing, training and helps them maintain a positive attitude. 

Founded in 1997 by Nancy Lublin, Dress For Success now has more than 110 affiliates in the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the West Indies. The volunteer-based affiliates fulfill the mission of promoting independence for women on a local level.

Pat Chambliss and her sister Earnestine Alexander started the Metro Jacksonaffiliate in 2002 because of a desire to help women in the area.

"They always wanted to empower women; it was a dream of theirs," Daphne Higgins, program director of DFSMJ said. "After researching about the organization, they decided this was the one they wanted to be a part of."

The non-profit offers each client a complete professional suit for job interviews once she has landed an interview. After the client is employed for 30 days, she receives a second suit. DFS also offers three programs: Professional Women's Group, Going Places Network by Walmart and the Career Center.

The invitation-only Professional Women's Group, or PWG, provides women with information to help them develop skills and to advance in the workplace. The support group includes monthly meetings, and programs that cover topics such as communication skills, child care issues and financial planning. PWG is open to DFS clients who have successfully gained employment. Peer mentoring, free exercise and fitness classes, product discounts, and vouchers are also available to the members.

The Going Places Network, or GPN, is designed and supported through the Walmart Foundation. The new component offers weekly training sessions and one-on-one coaching in a supportive environment.

The Career Center gives Jackson-area clients free access to develop computer skills, update their resumes and research employment opportunities.

Homeless shelters, immigration programs, educational institutions and domestic-violence shelters must refer women to Dress for Success for them to get help. More than 36 local government agencies, social organizations and faith-based organizations direct women to the Dress For Success Metro Jackson affiliate.

Dress for Success Metro Jackson provided services to more than 300 women in 2011, tripling the number of women they served in 2009. The Metro Jackson affiliate was recently awarded the Jackson Medical Mall's M-Power Communities Award. The award, a $10,000 grant, can be used as needed by the organization. Their annual fundraiser, Little Black Dress with a Tie, was a success this year. They raised an estimated $25,000 from the event. The fundraiser, which includes food and live entertainment, includes a live and silent auction of black dresses and neckties donated by local and national celebrities. BOOM Jackson, owned by Jackson Free Press Inc., donates proceeds from a new yearly fashion show to the local group as well.

Higgins, a former board member and volunteer, says Dress for Success changes lives. "We don't think of it as helping one client at a time; we are helping the community, because it's a cycle. As women better themselves and their families, they are bettering their communities," she said.

The non-profit affiliate can always use donations. You can give monetary donations; goods and services such as copier paper and printing services; and dry-cleaned, fairly new clothing that is appropriate for job interviews. You can also donate clothing to Repeat Street on behalf of Dress for Success.

Repeat Street (626 Ridgewood Road, Ridgeland, 601-605-9393) is a DFS sponsor, and all proceeds from donations made on behalf of the non-profit go to the organization. Job-interview-appropriate clothing in sizes 14 and up are especially needed.

The next BOOM fashion show will take place March 2, 2012 at Duling Hall. For more information on how to become a sponsor or more about the event, email Events Coordinator Shannon Barbour at [e-mail missing]

5 Facts About Dress For Success Worldwide
• Nancy Lublin used her $5,000 inheritance from her great grandfather, Poppy Max, to start Dress for Success, a non-profit organization, in New York City in 1997.

• In 1998, there were nearly 20 affiliates. A year later, there were almost 50 affiliates in three countries. Now, there are 110 chapter and affiliates worldwide.

• Dress for Success's mission is "to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life."

• Charity Navigator, America's largest independent evaluator of charities, has rated DFS a four-star charity for six years in a row. A four-star charity has successfully managed its finances compared to other charities. Only 3 percent of the charities evaluated by Charity Navigator are four-star charities.

• DFS' total income for the 2010 business year was $140,041,849. This total includes contribution of products ($9,669,156), contribution of services ($187,895), fundraising ($1,947,766), and other contributions ($2,202,648).

To refer women through your work force program, contact DFSMJ at 601-985-9888. For more information or to make a donation, visit http://www.dressforsuccess/metrojackson.org. Donations can be mailed to Dress for Success Metro Jackson, 2519 Robinson St., 2nd Floor, Jackson, Miss., 39209, or call Daphne Higgins at the DFSMJ office for an appointment.