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 [email protected].
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
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.
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