Show Designed to Empower Women
development of the women served . The pillars are job readiness and retention , financial literacy , work-life balance , workplace etiquette , health and wellness and social / civic responsibility .
Through an alliance with ADP – a national leader in providing human resources software and services – Dress for Success offers a unique women ’ s leadership academy known as Steps2Success each year . Loraimy Kendall , director of programming and workforce development at Dress for Success , explained it helps women build their professional network and skillsets . The 10-week program uses webinars , mock and speed interviewing with corporate partners , accountability groups , career coaching and mentoring . As with all programs , it is free to the participants and staff proudly point out it has a 70 percent success rate in getting women employed .
Kendall said the staff is always pleased to hear of the success stories . For instance , one recent graduate of the Steps2Success had re-entered the workforce after her daughter went to college . She was able to land a job at a big corporation and through her networking skills and advice gleaned from peers , she advanced to a new position as a communications program manager for a global company .
Kendall also pointed to another young woman , Victoria Adams , who had been an intern at Dress for Success , while attending Drew University . Adams used the career center to prepare for interviews after her graduation and tapped into the service a second time while attending Villanova Law School to help secure an internship .
Some of the models participating in the CIANJ fashion show will be sharing their stories at the event . Iozzi said the clothes from the show are coming from the organization ’ s huge closet of donated attire . She estimates she has more than 5,000 outfits . During the pandemic donations soared , so much so that the organization is looking for additional storage space .
The women participants receive their professional attire at the boutique located in the Madison headquarters or at the mobile pop-up dressing rooms that the organization creates with partner groups . In addition to the clothes , women also receive toiletries , feminine products , make-up , and other essentials to help them feel and look their best . Once they are hired , the organization also gifts them enough clothes for two weeks , so they do not have to use their first paychecks on apparel .
Stylists work with the women to find the perfect attire . “ It ’ s phenomenal to see the transformation ,” Iozzi said , adding , “ There ’ s nothing like when you see her dressed up and she realizes this is really me .”
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they want rather than the job they have .
March 2023 COMMERCE 17