Dress for Success: Dressing Up Worcester....One Dress at a Time

When the Dress for Success Worcester space, in the Denholm Building, was being renovated, I watched a woman carefully hand-paint the "Dress for Success" sign above the doors. I admired her patience, attention to detail and, more importantly, the care that she exuded as she painted.

Dress for Success Worcester opened its door in May 2009, and while some folks may not know about them yet, it's a MAJOR deal to have such an organization in Worcester. With over 110 locations throughout the world, Worcester was one of the 12 cities selected in 2008 to become an affiliate, beating over 650 other applicants.


With an erratic economy, and a cut-throat job market, Dress for Success has been able to assist women with free clothing in preparation for their job interview and clothing for once they are employed. The challenge for many women and one which Dress for Success addresses directly is, "how do you get a job without anything to wear, how do you afford something to wear without a job?"

It may seem like a simple statement, but it's not. Looking good and thus feeling good, in preparation for a job interview, is just one of the hurdles that any person has to overcome throughout the job search process.



While Dress for Success Worcester is located in the City, there are "feeder" agencies throughout Worcester County, to the tune of 25, that refer women that are looking for professional clothes.

Since May 2009, Dress for Success Worcester has conducted over 250 appointments with women looking for professional clothing. I'm sure there are more than a few well-dressed women working right now, thanks to Dress for Success Worcester.

As a matter of fact, this coming Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 12 pm to 2 pm, Dress for Success Worcester is holding their Spring Clothing Sale. The event is being held at the Dress for Success Boutique and they'll be selling their extra (like-new, sometimes brand new, name-brand) inventory of business and casual women's clothing and shoes. Everything will cost $5! And the great thing besides purchasing some great clothes, all the money raised goes towards Dress for Success Worcester and its many programs.

Also, beginning tomorrow (18th) through Sunday, March 21, 2010 there's the Gap Give & Get event that benefits Dress for Success nationally and locally.

This weekend, March 18-21, you can save 30% off at all Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores (including outlets) AND 5% of every purchase will be donated to Dress for Success. Plus Dress for Success Worcester can win up to $5000 for getting the word out about this event. Please visit their website www.dressforsuccess.org/worcester to print your coupon AND pass on this information to your friends, family and co-workers. Another great way to help, is to become a fan of Dress for Success Worcester on Facebook and share the link that they've posted with your friends.

Since Give & Get began in 2008, Gap Inc. has raised over $9 million for its nonprofit partners, and the company is looking to surpass $10 million this March! Dress for Success is thrilled to be a beneficiary of Give & Get and we hope that you will shop Gap, Gap Outlet, Banana Republic, Banana Republic Outlet and Old Navy stores with our organization in mind!

So, tell a friend to tell a friend about Dress for Success Worcester because there may be someone sitting right now that needs an outfit to get that job that will allow them to get back on their feet and it may start with that one dress from Dress for Success Worcester.