GIVING IN STYLE {fashion in the philanthropy lane}
SUITED WITH CONFIDENCE, HOPE AND STYLE Dress for Success Phoenix empowers a diverse population to thrive Tyler Butler | Fashion Writer
The year was 2007 and the United States was facing the greatest financial crisis of our time. The country had lost more than 7.5 million jobs and the unemployment rate had doubled — peaking at more than 10 percent. It was during this difficult time that Lisa Doromal, a stay-at-home mother of two, was watching The Oprah Winfrey Show. Doromal was tuned into a segment on Dress for Success, an international nonprofit that focuses on empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools. Having a background in clothing textiles, fashion merchandising and retail, Doromal was immediately drawn to the mission. During the next year Doromal began to consider her own situation and how she herself was not unlike the women that Dress for Success was working to help. As a Latina wife and mother, Doromal recognized that she was only one catastrophic life event away from needing the type of assistance Dress for Success provides.
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This epiphany coupled with her knowledge of the fashion industry was enough to motivate her to launch an affiliate of the charity. She researched resources and began to see the potential for Dress for Success to grow outside of its current markets. Nine months later, the worldwide Dress for Success headquarters approved her request for a Phoenix affiliate and Doromal’s dreams of helping women in need became a reality. Much like Dress for Success’s existing affiliates, the Phoenix branch would focus on suiting, leadership, employment retention, job training and career center resources. A local communitybased boutique would be the first step to outfitting women for employment. Connecting to leaders who could advise the women on life skills and job information would enhance their chance for success. The program would also provide strategies to nurture professional growth. And job training would build confidence, improve networking skills and teach work-related topics. Through these foundational programs, the
