News Release - City Welcomes Dress for Success Rochester to Downtown

City of Rochester

News Release

-Non-profit organization helps disadvantaged women achieve economic independence-


(Friday, April 24, 2015) – City of Rochester Neighborhood and Business Development Commissioner Bayé Muhammad, City Councilmember Elaine Spaull, New York State Senator Joe Robach and Katie LaShomb of Congresswoman Louise Slaughter’s Office, joined founder Alyssa Whitfield for a ribbon cutting ceremony today to celebrate the grand opening of Dress for Success Rochester, Inc. at 47 State St. in Downtown.

Dress for Success Rochester is an affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide, a non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged women achieve economic independence through a comprehensive approach to helping women gain employment and move towards self-sufficiency.

“As Mayor Lovely Warren works to create safer streets, more jobs and better educational opportunities for our children, she understands that many families in our city are challenged and face barriers when it comes to economic self-sufficiency,” said Commissioner Muhammad. “The City is thankful that Alyssa Whitfield and Dress for Success for opening in Rochester. This will open opportunities for potentially thousands of women in our community.”

Dress for Success officially opened earlier this month and has already begun suiting job-ready women who have been referred through community agencies, educational institutions and other programs.

“Collaborating with other organizations is the key to the Dress for Success model,” said Whitfield. “There are several area agencies already providing women with resources to conduct job searches. We will join forces with those agencies will address every phase of a woman’s career, from being unemployed and searching, to recently employed and adjusting, to gainfully employed and succeeding.”

Dress for Success is seeking donors and volunteers. Ways to get involved include making a monetary contribution, donating spring clothing and accessories, hosting an event, volunteering as a personal shopper/career consultant or mentor and more. Interested individuals and businesses can get more information by calling (585) 678-1041 or by visiting www.rochester.dressforsuccess.org.

About Dress for Success Worldwide: Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes 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. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 140 cities in the U.S., Africa, Australia, Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the UK and the West Indies. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 775,000 women work towards self-sufficiency. Visit www.dressforsuccess.org to learn more.

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News Media: For more information, contact Press Officer Jessica Alaimo at 428-7135.