Photo Credit: https://postscriptproductions.com/
1) Describe what Dress for Success Pittsburgh is and how it benefits women.
At Dress for Success Pittsburgh, we believe every woman deserves the opportunity to achieve success. We remove barriers to obtaining and retaining employment by empowering women with the clothing and connections they need to feel strong and confident as they take the next step in their career journey.
Women are referred for services by our community partners, which can be any 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the counties we serve. Dress for Success Pittsburgh welcomes any woman who needs our support through a transition, from a young woman seeking her first part-time job to break the cycle of poverty, to a single mom returning to the workforce, a survivor of domestic abuse, a veteran, a first generation college student, a previously incarcerated woman, and a retiree starting her second career. Read stories from the women we serve: https://pittsburgh.dressforsuccess.org/about-us/stories/
We provide each client with professional attire to secure employment, but we are about much more than simply a new outfit. In addition to equipping women with apparel and accessories, the goal of our services is to provide each woman with everything she needs to feel strong and confident.
Our services include:
Professional Suiting: Women are invited to visit Dress for Success Pittsburgh for attire to support their job search, interview, employment, job training, court appearance or other transition. They may select professional, business casual or industry specific attire, a pair of shoes, three personal care items and three professional accessories. Women who secure employment are invited to return for additional clothing and essential workwear such as nonskid shoes and medical scrubs to bridge the gap to their first paycheck.
Mobile Services Events: We offer mobile suiting services to groups of women at community centers, faith-based organizations or universities. By bringing our services to women right where they are, we remove barriers of transportation, childcare, work schedules or school schedules.
Virtual Connections Resource Center: The Virtual Connections Resource Center (VCRC) delivers our vital services to women everywhere through an online platform. Featuring local job boards, interview and employment preparation resources, professional styling guides, advice on navigating workplace culture, and physical, mental and emotional health resources, the VCRC provides a network of resources to empower women in their holistic development. Visit the VCRC at https://www.dfspghvirtual.org/.
Virtual Resume Review with Accenture: Thanks to our partners at Accenture, we provide services to help women build their resumes to prepare for job applications and interviews. Accenture professionals review resumes and provide feedback to help our clients present themselves confidently and professionally.
2) Women are being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and its disruption of their lives and the lives of their dependents. What is Dress for Success Pittsburgh doing to continue serving local women during this time?
Women have been impacted disproportionately during the pandemic by job losses and disruptions in their lives and the lives of their dependents. Dress for Success Pittsburgh continues adapting to changing needs and increased demand by providing contactless services and virtual employment readiness programming that allow us to serve women in our community while also ensuring the safety of our clients, volunteers, donors and staff. We connect with women virtually via phone or Zoom to find the appropriate attire for their upcoming interview or new job. Once we determine what is needed, we can ship items directly or clients may schedule a time to visit a boutique location for contactless pickup.
The Virtual Connections Resource Center (VCRC) was developed by 11 interns in 2020, many of them had lost their interns due to the pandemic and companies closing down. We needed a lot of support to move our services virtually and we wanted to support these young women on their career journey, so we thought it was the perfect opportunity. The VCRC as previously mentioned, delivers our vital services to women everywhere through an online platform. Featuring local job boards, interview and employment preparation resources, professional styling guides, advice on navigating workplace culture, and physical, mental and emotional health resources, the VCRC provides a network of resources to empower women in their holistic development. Visit the VCRC at https://www.dfspghvirtual.org/.
3) Have you seen a change in the type of work industry women are entering or returning to?
There has been an increase of women entering and returning to medical and healthcare roles. With a high volume of women starting training programs, the demand for medical scrubs and nonskid shoes is critical. At this time, we are avidly seeking gently used scrubs and nonskid shoes to ensure women can start their training program or job on time. We are also seeking financial support to enable us to purchase these urgently needed items that aren’t typically donated. If you are able to make a financial donation in support of women in the medical field, visit: https://pittsburgh.dressforsuccess.org/get-involved/donate/.
4) The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted events and fundraising efforts. How is Dress for Success Pittsburgh adapting to event cancelations or postponements?
With support from our partners, Dress for Success Pittsburgh has not lost a moment in providing services to help women in our community recover and thrive. While facing a loss of revenue from in-person events, we have transformed our in-person events to virtual engagement and sponsorship opportunities that are critical to our continued success. Through virtual fundraising efforts, we are able to provide contactless services and develop additional virtual resources, as well as purchase items that are not typically donated, such as steel toed boots, hard hats, medical scrubs or special sized items.
In place of our 500+ gala at Heinz Field, we’ve decided to try something different, a drive-thru fundraiser! With safety as our top priority, this year’s Pittsburgh themed fundraiser is hitting the road and crossing bridges! Join the Dress for Success Pittsburgh team and presenting sponsor, PPG, for The Black & Gold Cookie Table at Hartwood Acres: A Drive-thru Fundraising Event on Sunday, May 16 between 11am-2pm. Tickets are priced at $100 per vehicle and available for purchase beginning Monday, April 5. Each vehicle will receive a premium box of 2 dozen cookies from local woman owned and operated small business, The little Kitchen, a Pittsburgh themed swag bag, 1 entry to the Black & Golden Mega Raffle Ticket prize package and a picnic blanket to safely enjoy a day at the park as a couple, family, or group of friends. Bring the kids and the pets! For more information about the event or turn purchase a ticket visit: https://BGCookieTable.givesmart.com
Contact Information:
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, events and other ways to support our mission, please contact
Calynn Abdullah, our communications and events manager, at calynn@dressforsuccesspittsburgh.org.
For general inquiries, please contact pittsburgh@dressforsuccess.org.
If a woman you know is in need of services, please call 412-201-4204 or email pittsburgh@dressforsuccess.org for
assistance.
For more information and the latest updates, visit https://pittsburgh.dressforsuccess.org/
Social Media:
Dress for Success Pittsburgh connects with our clients, partners and community through social media. Please
follow our social media pages:
Facebook:
o https://www.facebook.com/DressForSuccessPittsburgh/
o https://www.facebook.com/FayetteBranchDFSPGH
o https://www.facebook.com/washdfs
o https://www.facebook.com/ButlerBranchDFSPittsburgh
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dfspgh/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dress-for-success-pittsburgh/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/dfspgh
Please engage with us! Like, comment and share our content with your friends and colleagues. Leverage hashtags
to join the conversation and continue driving awareness of our services and impact in our local communities:
#clothingconnectionsconfidence #dfspgh
Here are some images of Dress for Success events:
Clothing, connections, confidence! The mission of Dress for Success Pittsburgh is to empower women who are
entering and returning to the workforce across Southwestern PA.