I decided to return to school to obtain a degree in African American Studies. I worked a short time at the nonprofit, Village Connect before branching out on my own.

I received information about Dress For Success offering workshops on various ways to re-enter the workforce. The free workshops are informative and holistically beneficial. Not only did I receive helpful tips on searching for a new career, I learned techniques on self-care during these unprecedented times.

Today I am continuing my education in Ethnic Studies attending Cal State East Bay. I am serving my community, advocating for our youth in areas of leadership development and social justice, by starting my own nonprofit.

I was referred to Dress For Success by CityBuild’s Construction, Administrative & Professional Service Academy to access professional clothing for an interview. As a single mom working two jobs, I made a career change to have more time for my daughter. Now I have a wonderful career and more work-life balance.

I have participated in almost all the programs Dress For Success offers and I am currently working for a construction company called Suffolk as the Director of First Impression.

I was excited about my first appointment at Dress For Success and was made comfortable from the moment I arrived. I have since participated in almost all the programs Dress For Success offers. I love the program and being part of the Professional Women’s Group and look forward to our monthly meetings.

I was taking a vocational training class at JVS and they mentioned Dress For Success as a place to get continuing support and career workshops.

I found Dress For Success after a series of unfortunate events and a hip injury resulted in losing my job and place to live. I am single with no family and have been on my own for most of my life.

The programs I’ve participated in include Financial Literacy, Professional Women’s Group, Suiting for interviews, and as a client speaker at the Stretch for Success event.

I am currently a freelance professional organizer with Let’s Stage It and MCargo delivery. I gained financial accountability with the group over time which led to lasting progress in meeting my financial goals.

The suiting appointment made me feel amazing, cared for and supported. The PWG meetings are full of resources. Hearing words of wisdom and a variety of experiences and perspectives from the guest speakers - they are stellar. I know without a doubt that these women and this organization cares about our success.

The moment my partner and I landed back in the states we went our separate ways. He handed me $300 in cash and $3,000 in our joint account to get my own apartment with my then 6-year-old daughter.

Not having worked for 7 years, I had difficulty landing job interviews even with solid work history. Asking close friends for help was a very low point, I had no choice but to apply for food stamps. During that process I was enrolled in a JobsNow program through CalWORKs, a Client Services Coordinator position at Dress For Success caught my attention. I researched the organization and it was exactly the kind of place I wanted to work. By the end of the first week in the program, I was hired by Dress For Success.

Before Dress for Success, I was married and in a toxic relationship. I worked in the corporate world for investment banks as an Executive Assistant. After three miscarriages, I was pregnant, I quit my job to try to keep my pregnancy and had my daughter in 2008. During the global financial crisis my partner reenlisted in the military. We moved to Japan where he was stationed and served in the Special Forces.

For the last five years, I’ve worked at Dress for Success San Francisco as the Client Services Coordinator. Dress for Success is more than an interview outfit. It is an organization who gives me a network of support to help me thrive in my personal life and in my career. I continue to grow and be empowered alongside our clients.

Representing Dress for Success San Francisco and helping our clients through their journey means the world to me - as I myself was once in their shoes, I can relate with what they’re going through. Dress for Success has given me the opportunity and believed in me.