Friday, March 15,2024 Hyatt Regency Hotel New Orleans
Tracee Dundas FASHION EDITOR @fashionablyyoursnola
This year Dress for Success New Orleans celebrates 25 years of empowering women towards self-sufficiency with career development and employment retention services. The organization has been a beacon of hope, style, and empowerment, transforming the lives of over 10,000 women in the community.
In 1999, out of the trunk of her car, Hope Encalade, Dress for Success New Orleans Founder suited women with donated professional attire and saw the transformative power of dressing for success. Recognizing the profound impact that this could have on a woman’s confidence and professional advancement, Dress for Success New Orleans was born. Since then, the organization has evolved from a humble initiative to a thriving force for change, uplifting women to achieve their full potential.
“It’s been nothing short of incredible to witness the evolution of Dress for Success New Orleans from a small initiative to a powerful force for empowerment in our community.” – Hope Encalade, DFSNO Founder
At the core of DFSNO’s goal is the understanding that empowering women goes beyond clothing; it’s about building self-esteem, fostering skills, and creating a supportive community. More than half of women who walk through DFSNO doors are single mothers and a majority are women of color, some referred from partnering organizations like Grace House, Goodwill, and Eden House. DFSNO offers financial education with Capital One, confidence and self-care workshops with ULTA Beauty, Digital Skills Ready with the AARP Foundation, and many more career development programs, mentorship, and networking opportunities that pave the way for lasting success.
“The women who come to us are from all walks of life, all ethnicities, and all education levels. They all have one thing in common: they want to do better. The programs that we offer these women allow them to take that first step toward a new life, and to keep the job and move up. When she gets the job, not only is her life positively impacted, but also the lives of her children, her family, and the community.” – Diane Riche, DFSNO Past Board President
Behind the racks of clothing and the workshops lies a thread of success stories that reflect the true impact of DFSNO. From women landing their dream jobs to entrepreneurs starting their own businesses, the organization has played a pivotal role in shaping the narratives of countless individuals. These stories will be shared and celebrated at the SUSCO Styled for Success Luncheon Friday, March 15 at the Hyatt Regency New Orleans. The luncheon program will highlight the Client of the Year success story, award the Volunteer of the Year, and feature keynote speaker Dress for Success Worldwide CEO, Michele Meyer-Shipp. Michele joined Dress for Success Worldwide in 2022, from Major League Baseball, where she served as Chief People & Culture Officer. Additionally, there will be a fashion presentation featuring local boutiques such as Monomin, Pilot & Powell, Angelique and making a debut to the runway will be men’s fashions provided by Luca Falcone Clothier.
DFSNO continues significant growth and programmatic expansions including:
● Over 500 unique women served annually
● 78% of clients are people of color, 56% are single mothers
● Job readiness workshops to include career development, digital and computer skills, Capital One financial planning as well as life skills and self-care
● The Coca-Cola Foundation provided a generous grant to support women entering the hospitality and tourism industry with new uniform apparel to meet the needs of those working in the service industry
● Strengthened relationships with local HBCUs by conducting professional wardrobe presentations, outfitting students with professional attire for interviewing, internships or full-time employment, and donated clothing to their campuses.
As Dress for Success New Orleans enters its next chapter, the organization remains committed to its vision of empowering women and fostering positive change for the next 25 years or more.
Recommended For You.
Be the first to comment