Location: Houston, Texas

Date Founded: 1998

Contact Name: Emily Meister

Contact: Emily@DFSHouston.org

Website: www.dfshouston.org

9dc Give Amount: $750

March 29, 2022 

Dress for Success is a 501(c)(3) organization that helps promote economic independence of disadvantaged woman through the donations of professional work attire. Along with offering professional business attire, they have services focused on landing the job, job retention, and networking services to help women continue to thrive in work and life.

Since 1998, the Dress for Success Houston chapter has provided these services and a boost of confidence to more than 45,000 women within the Houston community. Their mission is bringing economic independence and financial stability with a focus of "One woman, one suit, one job can change the world!"

During the COVID-19 healthcare crisis, they also supported the overwhelmed front line nurses that are 90% women. Through the purchase of scrubs, they were able to help current, new, and volunteer nurses with appropriate attire, especially during challenging times of extended shifts and nursing shortages. 

The Dress for Success process starts with a two hour consultation, which includes clothes fitting and interview preparation. Clients are matched with a guide who helps with selection of appropriate work attire, something that many of us take for granted in the professional world. DFS also helps prepare the clients for success by conducting mock interviews, creating elevator pitches to better sell themselves, and learning how to create that valuable first impression. Before leaving for their interview, women are assisted in creating a portfolio with a resume to submit. The results have been great with over 50% of women that seek support from DFS Houston earning the positions they apply and interview for!

Although the "hard" part is done, the support never dwindles; DFS Houston creates a safe, supportive network for the women they work with throughout their professional careers that include extra professional outfits and continued professional development courses. 

What is the 9dollarclub doing to help?

March celebrates Women's History Month and the 9dollarclub was drawn to the story and people supporting the women at DFS Houston. Houston is a diverse area with women from multiple different backgrounds. Roughly 70% of women coming into DFS Houston are single mothers, who are in need of a job to support their families. DFS is proud to serve unemployed and underemployed women that includes veterans returning to civilian life post-service, perspective healthcare workers, and single mothers looking for their first job.

Poverty often affects women more heavily and it's effects on them and their families can be long-lasting. Dress for Success aims to improve the quality of life for not only that woman but also their family, future generations and the surrounding community. 

To help empower and support these women in the creation of a new path with economic independence, we donated a collection of brand-new scrubs for healthcare workers and professional work attire that will help women land that first job. These items will support women in the process of earning a job, providing them with the attire they need to get out there and change the world.

Through our donation, we are helping to create financial stability for women in need, in the fields where society needs the talents of these women. DFS Houston continues to support these women through the ever-important process of maintaining jobs and setting them on a path of independence. 

Please learn more about DFS Houston in our interview with Emily Meister, Director of Store and Client Experience, below!