Dress for Success Buffalo, part of a worldwide group of over 100 affiliates which assist financially-challenged women by providing free career clothing and mentoring, opened its doors Friday at 20 Court Street downtown.
Housed in a ’boutique-like” setting, nonprofit Dress for Success Buffalo will to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
“My vision for Dress for Success Buffalo is to put our clients in a work-appropriate outfit that will reflect on the outside the skilled, capable women they are on the inside,” said Christa Vidaver, Executive Director, Dress for Success Buffalo.
“We aim to instill in our clients the belief they deserve respect, have the ability to strive for something better and can achieve their dreams. Every client who comes in our doors for her first suiting, and then for any additional services thereafter, is worthy of our respect and will be sure to receive it from our staff and volunteers,” she added.
Dress for Success Buffalo hopes to serve 300 women in its first year of operation. Clients will come to the organization by referral only from a variety of local partner agencies, including social services, training and housing programs which serve disadvantaged women.
Ms. Vidaver first learned about Dress for Success via an email she received from U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in November 2011. She contacted the organization’s worldwide office and found out it was seeking someone to open an affiliate in Buffalo.
“I am thrilled to help launch Dress for Success Buffalo,” Senator Gillibrand said. “Dress for Success is empowering thousands of women across the country by equipping them with the tools and resources they need to succeed in the economy, support a family, and pursue their dreams. I commend Christa Vidaver for her leadership and vision in bringing this organization to Buffalo. I fully believe that the key to strong families, a thriving middle class and a growing economy is empowering women in our workforce. Dress for Success is helping to lead the way by creating promising new opportunities right here for more women in Buffalo.”
Joi Gordon, CEO, Dress for Success Worldwide, also commended Ms. Vidaver and her volunteer crew for their efforts.
“It’s such an honor to be able to celebrate the opening of Dress for Success Buffalo in person,” Ms. Gordon said. “This is an area of the state that we have wanted to serve for a long time, and I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that the women of Buffalo will soon benefit from our services. Christa and her team are working tirelessly to ensure that women in the community have the tools they need to flourish both personally and professionally.”
The Limited Stores is also playing a key role in the launch of Dress for Success Buffalo.
The venerable specialty retailer is donating a percentage of this weekend’s sales (March 1-3) from its just-opened Boulevard Mall store to Dress for Success Buffalo.
Its Boulevard Mall and Walden Galleria stores are serving as drop-off points for lightly-worn, contemporary women’s clothing to help fill the racks and shelves of Dress for Success Buffalo.
“As members of Buffalo’s business community for more than 20 years, we were thrilled to learn that Dress for Success Buffalo is joining us in making this vibrant community even better,” said William Acevedo, the Limited’s senior vice president of stores who also serves as one of three executives in the Office of the President. “Our support of Dress for Success is one way we give back to the communities where our associates and clients live and work. By helping women succeed, we help our communities succeed.”
The Limited has partnered with Dress for Success in several communities around the country.
Ms. Vidaver, Dress for Success Buffalo board members and dozens of volunteers have spent the past year seeking donations of new and like-new furnishings, clothing and accessories for the 3,300-square-foot Court Street location.
“Even the paint on the walls was donated. The support we’ve gotten from the Limited, as well as local businesses and individuals has been absolutely wonderful. It’s the life blood that has allowed us to open and what we’ll need going forward to meet our mission,” Ms. Vidaver said.
Dress for Success Buffalo is stocked with suits, separates, shoes, dress outerwear and accessories to fit women in sizes ranging from petite to plus. The organization will continue to hold clothing drives through area businesses and office parks, while also soliciting donations from retailers, and sweat equity from additional volunteers.
The organization will serve its first referred clients by appointment only later this month on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and two Saturdays a month from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
As its client list and trained volunteer ranks grow, the site will be open Monday through Saturday.
Nationally and internationally Dress for Success affiliates’ clients are:
-Single mothers (70 percent), raising an average of 2-3 children
-Women of all ethnicities and races
-Women who range in age from 18-60, with a majority between the ages of 18 and 38
-Women who are living below the poverty level
Since its inception in 1997, Dress for Success has suited more than 600,000 women in more than 110 locations across the U.S. and around the world.
Ideas for Getting Involved:
-Make in-kind donation of products and services
-Make financial contributions
-Become an event sponsor
-Volunteer as a partner corporation or agency
-Employee volunteer projects
-Spearhead career apparel and accessories drives
-Provide speakers for Professional Women’s Group (to be formed in late 2013)
-Offer internships or other career opportunities to our clients