WIM (UK) is proud to support the London branch of Dress for Success. We launched this collaboration with a very successful collection of clothes and accessories at our L.K.Bennett Drinks in February 2012, and will regularly organise similar collections during our events.
The mission of Dress for Success 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.
Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success (DFS) is an international not-for-profit organisation offering services designed to help women find jobs and remain employed. Since 1997, DFS has served more than 550,000 women in countries including the US, Canada, Mexico, the UK, the Netherlands, Poland, Australia and New Zealand.
In London, DFS has a team of volunteers who dress clients, manage stock, work in the office and provide interview and mentoring support. If you are interested in volunteering for DFS London, please contact them london@dressforsuccess.org or call 020 7288 1770.
Dress for Success serves clients by referral only, and women must have an interview scheduled before receiving clothing. Each DFS client receives one suit when she has a job interview and can return for a second suit or separates when she finds work. Clients come to DFS from a continually expanding and diverse group of non-profit and government agencies including homeless shelters, immigration services, job training programs, educational institutions and domestic violence shelters, among many other organisations.
To meet the need for services that would help women not only find but also keep jobs and progress in their new careers, DFS also established the Professional Women’s Group (PWG) programme. This network offers women on-going support as they successfully transition into the workforce, build thriving careers and prosper in the mainstream workplace. Once a woman joins the PWG she is a member for life and can benefit from additional employment retention and mentoring programs.
The DFS London mentoring programme -called the Professional Friend programme – is designed to offer support and guidance to women who have either recently re-entered the workplace or who are still looking for work. Clients are paired with a mentor who meets up with them on a regular basis to offer support and advice. Mentors are professional women from various backgrounds who participate in a comprehensive training programme provided by DFS London. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please email Pauline Murphy at pauline.murphy@dfslondon.org.