Founded in New York City in 1997, Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization offering services designed to help clients find jobs and remain employed. Each client receives one suit when she has a job interview and can return for a second suit or separates when she finds work.
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Today, our spotlight shines on Stephanie Silvers, Program Coordinator, Dress For Success, Twin Cities.
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Tell us about Dress for Success Twin Cities. How do you use volunteers?
Dress for Success Twin Cities is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the economic independence of disadvantaged women in the Twin Cities by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Dress for Success Twin Cities is part of Dress for Success Worldwide, which has been in existence since 1997 and has 113 affiliate locations internationally. By January 2010 we had secured space, trained volunteers, received clothing and other donations, and began working with clients at our location in Minneapolis. Our ultimate purpose is to help women enter and thrive in the mainstream workplace.
In order to accomplish our mission, we rely heavily on our volunteers. Volunteers help suit clients, sort and maintain clothing donations, and help with administrative duties in the office.
How did you get started as a volunteer leader?
I got started as a volunteer leader by being a volunteer myself. I had gotten involved with the organization and started spending more time in the office and helping manage the space. As I started to coordinate some of the volunteers I eventually took over the position as volunteer coordinator.
What’s one piece of advice you have for volunteer leaders out there?
Volunteers are SO important in the work that we do. If you are a leader make sure you appreciate your volunteers and thank them for the work they are doing. Our organization wouldn’t be able to run our programs without the help of our volunteers and I do my best to know what is going on in their lives and make it an inviting place where they want to come and feel appreciated.
Why did you decide to use VolunteerSpot?
I found I needed a system to help schedule volunteers to come in and making the schedule manually was taking up too much time. VolunteerSpot really simplified the process. It also makes it very easy to send out messages and I love that it sends out reminders.
Anything else you’d like our readers to know about your organization?
Dress for Success is a worldwide organization so if you are interested in volunteering please feel free to contact your local affiliate.
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To learn more, visit http://www.dressforsuccess.org/home.aspx
We salute Stephanie and all the other volunteer leaders out there working to help women in need. If you're using VolunteerSpot, write and tell us about what you're doing and give us a chance to shine our Volunteer Spotlight on you!! Just email us at [email protected]
