Dress for Success Memphis NEWS - a year end publication of the Memphis affiliate

Greetings from the Board Chair

The holiday season is a time to celebrate with your loved

ones while reflecting upon the activities of the year.

Dress for Success Memphis began 2011 with our new

tagline “Going Places. Going Strong.” This tagline

replaced “Suits to Self Sufficiency” because we are

much more than a Suit. Whether a woman is giving a suit

as a donor or receiving a suit as a client, the Suit is a life

jacket that opens a world of possibilities, creates

opportunities and builds relationships that will change a life.

The recent census report revealed that Memphis has the highest poverty rate

among large metro areas in our nation. And more specifically, the data shows us

that women and children are the ones most likely to live in poverty. While these

findings are heartbreaking they remind us that there’s more work to be done in

our community.

Dress for Success Memphis has effectively provided programming to our clients

from our office located at 2730 Colony Park Drive but because of our newest

partner, Walmart. We have had the opportunity to take our programs beyond

our facility. We started the Going Places Network which helps women to develop

skills to secure employment. Eight week sessions were held in conjunction with

Agape Child and Family Services, Cocaine Alcohol Awareness Program, the

Memphis Public Library at the Autumn Ridge Apartments, Capleville United

Methodist Church and the Benjamin Hooks Central Library. More than 40 clients

participated in these sessions and have either successfully secured employment,

enrolled in G.E.D. classes, or other educational/job training programs.

In the words of Joi Gordon, Dress for Success Worldwide CEO, “this is not the time

to retreat” because the women in our community need the services, volunteers

and donors of Dress for Success Memphis. Our new tagline has set the tone for

2011 and beyond. We are definitely committed to – “Going Places. Going

Strong. “

I along with my fellow board members ask that you join us in making the

commitment to – “Going Places. Going Strong.” by making a tax deductible

donation and returning it in the enclosed envelope. Your investment will ensure

that we continue to change the lives of women and provide programs to impact

our community.

Best Regards,

Miska Clay Bibbs

Miska Clay Bibbs, Chair

Dress for Success Memphis Board of Directors

Become a “Perfect 10”

with the New DFS Giving

Campaign

Want to be a “Perfect 10”? Who

doesn’t! Well, it’s easy to do and it

doesn’t require a fad diet, buying

expensive makeup or a new haircut.

To become a “Perfect 10” all you have

to do is join Dress for Success Memphis

for our Annual Suit and Salad

Luncheon on Thursday, February 9,

2012 at 11:30 a.m. at the Holiday Inn –

University Memphis.

Join us for the luncheon and we will

guarantee that you can become a

“Perfect 10” before you leave. More

details to follow.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Miska Clay Bibbs

Ritche Bowden

Hazel Burks

Melanie Burroughs

Keith Dobbs

Angelique Gray

Nika Jackson

Veronica Jackson-Ratliff

Brandy Johnson Ward

Porsia Lipford

Rholedia Morgan

Anna Mullins

Jennifer Sink

Wal-Mart: Sponsor of the Dress for

Success Going Places Network Wal-Mart launched the Going Places Network with more

than fifty Dress for Success affiliates. This program is

designed to help women get back into the workforce and

help them rebuild

their confidence to

receive secure

employment. It also

gives them skills that

will prepare them for

interviews and

creating resumes.

Management

representatives have

worked with DFS to present workshop content and

introduce clients to other management officials. They are

committed to ensuring that the participants can gain

employment within local Wal-Mart businesses.

Through this sponsorship, DFS worked with three cohorts. The

first cohort had fifteen participants, ten women were

employed, one enrolled in a literacy program, two enrolled

in a GED program and two enrolled in junior college. During

the second cohort, there were fifteen participants, ten

were employed, and five graduated from the program.

Wal-Mart worked closely with the third cohort which had

twenty-eight participants, six women were employed,

twenty-two participants graduated from the program.

This partnership offered DFS the following benefits:

sponsorship of the DFS Little Black Dress Event, redesign of

the DFS inventory closet and strengthening of

referral/community relationships. New partnerships include:

Agape Child & Family Services, Benjamin Hooks Library,

CAAPS (Cocaine, Alcohol, Addition Program, and Mobile

Career Center etc.

FedEx: Helping to Empower Dress for

Success Memphis Participants for the

Workforce

During this economic downturn, many individuals have

had to rebrand themselves for a changing workforce.

Individuals with the same careers for more than ten or

twenty years are learning the new wave of resume and

interviewing techniques.

A FedEx work group decided they wanted to share their

expertise in resume writing, and behavioral interviewing

strategies. They presented two workshops to the Dress for

Success (DFS) Professional Women’s Group. They trained

the women on techniques to help them enhance their

cover letters and resumes. They also provided

interviewing tips, recommendations on creating

professional email addresses and voice mail messages.

Each workshop participant received a manual with

resources that are available to them in the Memphis

community. They also received several printed copies

and an electronic copy of their resume on a CD that

they can use to continue to update their document.

To expand this program, FedEx employees are

committed to offering eight more career transition

workshops to benefit even more DFS participants in 2012.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SUPPORTERS

FedEx Executives Host a COINS Event to Benefit Dress for Success Memphis In August, a COINS (Circle of Influence Networking Soiree)event was

hosted by several FedEx Executives which benefitted Dress for Success

Memphis (DFS). This networking opportunity gave several executives

and employees a chance to learn more about the initiatives that the

agency is providing women in the community.

The diverse group of event attendees gave contributions, signed up to

volunteer and made a commitment to donate suits to the DFS career

clothing closet. Are you interested in throwing a C.O.I.N.S. (Circle of

Influence Networking Soiree) for Dress for Success Memphis?

Supporters of Dress for Success Memphis are offered the opportunity to

host an event at a location of their choice (home, restaurant, church,

etc). Arrangements may be made for a representative from the

organization to attend, give information about our programs and

services and request financial donations. These events are fun and

exciting! It's a great way to help Dress for Success Memphis!

For more information, contact us at (901) 363-3100 or email memphis@dressforsuccess.org.

Support Dress for Success | Donate

DFS MemphisWishlist

There is a waiting list for business suits

and business attire for ladies sizes 20

and up.

Dress for Success relies on the generosity of people like you

who are committed helping disadvantaged women take

charge of their lives.

Give the gift of empowerment and make a difference for

women around the world!

More Donation Options

There are many different ways that you can donate to

Dress for Success and provide funding to support our vital

career development programs for disadvantaged women

around the world.

Dress for Success would not be able to provide services to

so many deserving women without your help. If you are

unable to make a financial contribution, below are ways to

find out how you, friends, and co-workers can work

together to help a woman on her journey towards self-

sufficiency!

Donate Suits A woman's first step for a successful interview is

making a strong and powerful first impression. Play a part in

helping a woman land that job and start a new career by

donating a suit or other business-appropriate clothing!

Donate Product The support of corporations who contribute

apparel, footwear, and accessories is essential for our

clients to complete their new look and enter the workforce

with confidence. Make a corporate donation of product

to help our women succeed on their journey!

Contact Us

2730 Colony Park Drive

Memphis, TN 38118

Office 901.363.3100

memphis@dressforsuccess.org

Find us on Facebook at Dress for Success Memphis

2011 Little Black Dress Event Little Black Dress Wine Tasting Sponsored by Quality Wine and Liquors

Dress for Success Memphis hosted the Little Black Dress Event that previewed

the high end donations available for sale at their upcoming Upscale Garage

Sale. The cocktails and couture event was hosted by Lexus and Verizon

featuring food from Felicia Suzanne, Sweetgrass, Chocistry, Quality Wines and

Liquors, and of course, Muddy’s Bake Shop! There were also silent auction

items and decadent treats and wine. Items for auction included hotel

packages, a signed Tony Dungy book, and event tickets. Members of the

Professional Women's Group attended the Little Black Dress Event.

2011 Upscale Garage Sale

The 2011 Upscale Garage Sale featured a vintage couture section! This

beautiful blue dress was one of the awesome pieces available for sale

Friday, October 21 & Saturday, October 22 at Mpact Memphis on South

Main Street during River Arts Fest! You don't want to miss the savings

opportunities in 2012. Contact us to be added to our mailing list for exclusive invitations to a sneak

preview. Become a Perfect 10 and enjoy other special benefits of being a

Dress for Success Supporter.