“I believe in helping other women so when I decide to support a non-profit organization, I always do research to this end. Therefore, I’ve been involved in Dress for Success for many years, as both a volunteer and a board member. Our local affiliate has a nice boutique where women who need a helping hand to get back into the work place can come and shop for an interview suit and later, a work day suit, including accessories. Being a part of this has been so rewarding for me, I wanted to share this with everyone I know.

We gather gently worn clothes for the boutique all year long and once a year, we have a “Send One Suit” clothes drive where several local businesses help out with dry-cleaning and donations. We have various fund-raising events throughout the year, too. And we have several national sponsors such as Dress-Barn, Avon, Mary Kay Cosmetics and Lia Sophia jewelry, just to name a few. These sponsorships are distributed accordingly throughout the many affiliates. I’ve work as often as I can in the boutique, helping to dress clients. It’s so much fun to help the women shop for the perfect outfit for an interview. The women are referred by other non-profit organizations and we have guidelines and rules, but helping to suit them is a life-changing assignment. We start with asking them about themselves and what type of work they have applied for. Then we pick out blouses, skirts, pants and jackets to fit their work. We also help them find the right shoes and purses to go with their new outfits.

Women enter uncertain and embarrassed at times, but emerge looking confident and professional. I think the best part of being a consultant in the boutique is watching the transformation. They beam with pride when we find the right suit and so do we. Dressing to impress, what some might consider frivolous, is really a very important component in building a woman’s confidence and courage. It does make a different, in their minds and in the eyes of an employer. Dress for Success began in New York in 1997 and is now Dress for Success Worldwide. To date, we’ve suited over 300,000 women in over 80 cities and in five countries (and counting.) We also offer continuing support with a Professional Women’s Group that mentors by bringing in speakers and consultants on a monthly basis. And most affiliates offer a Career Center where women have access to technology and can improve their professional skills by updating resumes, practice business writing and take care of any type of business tasks. I’m so proud to be a part of such a strong, vital organization and I encourage women everywhere to learn more about Dress for Success Worldwide. It’s a network of strong women working to help other women. And that’s something we can all celebrate.”–Lenora Worth

Here’s Lenora’s latest Love Inspired romance. She is donating a copy to my MEGA May gift basket. Leave a comment to be eligible for the end of the month drawing. Thanks, Lenora–Lyn