By irene maslowski
Beyond the “Suit”
In todays challenging economic times, when so many Americans including neighbors in our own communities, are struggling financially, you can be a catalyst for change by supporting Dress for Success Morris County.
Many people are not aware that Dress for Success Morris County (www.dressforsuccess.org/morriscounty) serves a broad area of New Jersey in addition to Morris County including Essex, Union, Middlesex, Somerset, Passaic, Sussex, and Warren Counties. Dress for Success Morris County relies heavily on the power of your donations in order to continue its important work in the community including financial contributions, gifts in kind and volunteer support. Nearly $1,000 is needed to adequately serve a single woman for an entire year. In 2012 alone over 1,000 women were helped by your donations and 400 women were reached through Dress for Success Morris County mobile suiting program and partnerships with other organizations such as Homeless Solutions, Jersey Battered Women’s Service, and Workforce NJ.
Known for its support of women entering or returning to the workforce, Dress for Success Morris County is often recognized as an organization that provides business attire and other items necessary to help disadvantaged women get a chance by helping them to look professional in an interview or on the job. But did you know that Dress for Success Morris County “goes well beyond the suit”, to not only help women dress appropriately for their job search, but also to provide critical career support with job search, resume building, interview skills, coaching and mentoring necessary to secure employment, retain a job and become financially independent?
A significant and growing number of households in the United States today are headed by single women, many of them struggling financially due to the economy, job loss, financial instability, lack of education and other factors. Some are raising families, but others are young, single women who are just starting out and don’t have any resources, support or the finances to purchase a business wardrobe and who lack knowledge of corporate culture.
That was the case for Tamara, a young, bright student studying at Rutgers University in Newark. Originally from East Orange, was raised by her single mother and by her own admission has "always had to overcome difficult circumstances." A few years ago her mother was diagnosed with cancer. In order to take care of her mother and younger sister, Tamara applied to Rutgers University. She recently graduated and was hired by Rutgers to work in their "Talent Search East" program which is an outreach initiative that works with 500 kids grades 6-12 in East Orange NJ.
Tamara’s mother recently passed away and she has had to deal with financial hardship. She was referred to Dress for Success Morris County because she could not afford the appropriate clothing for her new job. She loved her experience here.
Tamara stated "Dress for Success is good for people who have had a hard life to know there are services out there that help you move beyond your hardships and look to the future." She says Dress for Success Morris County helped her "finally get a chance to dress how you feel, and look like the professional you want to be."
“This holiday season, please consider becoming a catalyst for change,” states Stefanie Conley, Executive Director, Dress for Success® Morris County. “You can have a significant impact in the lives of these women by providing a much-needed financial donation or donating time, services, or clothing. There are many ways to become involved as a mentor, a financial contributor, or a volunteer. From helping in our shop, to speaking at one of our events, serving as a career coach/mentor, to serving on the marketing committee—people can find a valued role that fits their skills and interests.”
Our mission at Dress for Success Morris County is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire and offering a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success Morris County is part of the international organization Dress for Success with more than 100 affiliates worldwide.
Dress for Success Morris County services are free of charge and designed to empower women and help transform their lives. Dress for Success Morris County serves 8 New Jersey counties: Morris, Essex, Middlesex, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.
For further information e-mail us at [email protected] or visit our website at http://www.dressforsuccess.org/morriscounty or call 973-822-3188.

