SB Community

Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier is a non-profit organization that provides women with the proper resources to obtain and maintain a place in the workforce. The Dress for Success organization, which originated in New York, is a worldwide movement to uplift women in communities everywhere. With chapters in 150 cities in 25 countries, Dress for Success worldwide changes the lives of thousands of women annually.

Since 1996, Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier has lived up to its mission to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Executive Director Erica McCain works hand in hand with staff and volunteers to serve the women of Shreveport-Bossier. “I have and will always have a passion for women’s issues and I’m willing to step in and elevate women in our community,” she says. The organization has four primary programs that help women entering and reentering the workforce.

The most well-known program is The Confident Suiting Program, which provides women with gently used professional attire through donations of business suits, blouses, skirts, pants, shoes, and accessories. Clients go shopping at the Dress for Success office, selecting outfits with help from volunteers.

Dressing professionally on a job interview does more than just impress hiring managers, it gives women the confidence to let their light shine. Once the client has secured a position, Dress for Success makes sure they have outfits to make it through their first week.

Landing a great job means nothing if you do not have the skills to perform and retain the position. The Women of the Workforce (W.O.W.) program is a 12-week job readiness program that teaches professional soft skills. Clients are taught resume writing, public speaking, and social media etiquette. They even engage in mock interviews to prepare them for the real interaction.

The Professional Women’s Group (PWG) is a support system for clients that encourages employment longevity and shows clients how to handle things like workplace conflict and work/ life balance. The onsite Career Center assists clients with job searches, resume writing, and related computer training, and gives women the freedom to conduct their own job searches or work one on one with staff and volunteers.

“We strive to be a household name in our community by conducting outreach and providing services to help women become gainfully employed. The more women we reach, the more women can become employed,” says McCain. Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier is planning its annual fundraiser, the Red Hanger Event, on September 30, which will include a fashion show that showcases clients in Dress for Success attire. Proceeds from the event will support the four programs.

As long as Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier continues to be a driving force in our area, women of Shreveport-Bossier will have a place where they can better themselves.

Since 1996, Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier has lived Executive Director Erica McCain works hand in hand with staff and volunteers to serve the women of Shreveport-Bossier. “I have and will always have a passion for women’s issues and I’m willing to step in and elevate women in our community,” she says. The organization has four primary programs that help women entering and reentering the workforce. The most well-known program is The Confident Suiting Program, which provides women with gently used professional attire through donations of business suits, blouses, skirts, pants, shoes, and accessories. Clients go shopping at the Dress for Success office, selecting outfits with help from volunteers. Dressing professionally on a job interview does more than just impress hiring managers, it gives women the confidence to let their light shine. Once the client has secured a position, Dress for Success makes sure they have outfits to make it through their first week. Landing a great job means nothing if you do not have the skills to perform and retain the position. The Women of the Workforce (W.O.W.) program is a 12-week job readiness program that teaches professional soft skills. Clients are taught resume writing, public speaking, and social media etiquette. They even engage in mock interviews to prepare them for the real interaction. The Professional Women’s Group (PWG) is a support system for clients that encourages employment longevity and shows clients how to handle things like workplace conflict and work/ life balance. The onsite Career Center assists clients with job searches, resume writing, and related computer training, and gives women the freedom to conduct their own job searches or work one on one with staff and volunteers. “We strive to be a household name in our community by conducting outreach and providing services to help women become gainfully employed. The more women we reach, the more women can become employed,” says McCain. Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier is planning its annual fundraiser, the Red Hanger Event, on September 30, which will include a fashion show that showcases clients in Dress for Success attire. Proceeds from the event will support the four programs. As long as Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier continues to be a driving force in our area, women of Shreveport-Bossier will have a place where they can better themselves.