Dress for Success Cincinnati is proud to celebrate Volunteer Appreciation Month!

Every year, April is designated Volunteer Appreciation Month! During this month, we will be recognizing our volunteers and celebrating THEM!

We will be providing snacks and drinks during Volunteer Appreciation Week for all volunteers! (April 16th - April 21st) If you're interested in volunteering or learning more, please contact Volunteer Manager, Courtney Shannon.

In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Month, we would like to share the story of client and dedicated volunteer, Pam Brown.

Pam first came to Dress for Success in 2010 after being referred by Andrea at JVS Careers. After resume help and searching for employment, Pam received a job in sales at Macy’s. She then joined our women’s networking group, formerly known as Professional Women’s Group. Pam was also one of our models for the 2011 Fashion Show! 

Today, she currently works as a caregiver with developmentally disabled adults. Pam started volunteering at DFSC in 2019 on a regular basis. She describes herself as a “people person” and enjoys volunteer roles at events, but her favorite is being a greeter at the Portaluca Warehouse Sales. She also regularly attends our EmpowerHER meetings!

Thank you, Pam, for all of your dedication to Dress for Success Cincinnati!

Her Path Forward

Thank you for attending our Women's History Month breakfast and panel discussion! We hope you learned more about pay equity in the Cincinnati region and left feeling inspired to help combat the pay wage gap. Thank you to our amazing panelists, Valarie Boykins, Mary Maune and Alicia Miller.

In case you missed it, you can watch the event and share with your friends on our Facebook.

DFSC Visits Ryle High School

In February, Dress for Success Cincinnati visited Ryle High School in Union, KY for a Mobile Styling Event. During this event, 15 clients were styled!

Our Mobile Transformation Center allows us to travel to organizations to meet women where they are. By traveling to them, we help eliminate transportation as a barrier to women who are in need of our services.

If your agency or organization would like additional information about scheduling, participating or volunteering for a Mobile event, email our Styling Services Manager at kblack@dfscincy.org.

Thank you, Johnson Investment Counsel!

In celebration of International Womens Day the ladies of Johnson Investment Counsel hosted a Sip ‘N’ Swap. Gently used business attire, shoes, and accessories were brought in to swap and all remaining items were donated to Dress for Success Cincinnati after the event.

If your organization is interested in hosting a clothing drive to benefit Dress for Success Cincinnati, please contact Inventory Coordinator, Cynthia Watts.

Get Involved at Dress for Success!

• We need volunteers to help assemble bags for the upcoming Portaluca Designer Showcase! There are slots open on April 10th & 11th.

• Mock Interviewers Needed! During these mock interviews, clients can practice their interviews with real employers. We need volunteers on April 12th and April 26th to help conduct interviews!

Sign Up Here >>

Check out this month's opportunities at DFSC.

EmpowerHER: Healing After Trauma

Saturday, April 29th

10:00 am - 12:00 pm // Dress for Success Cincinnati

Please join Dress for Success Cincinnati as we host a panel discussion on healing after experiencing trauma. We will hear from Cleoyvonta Longmire, Dr. Adonica Jones Park and Tiffany Grissom, moderated by Gwen Kelly.

Free breakfast and swag bags are included! Portaluca Boutique will be open!

All women, no matter where you are in your professional journey, are welcome!

Please RSVP to Gwen Kelly!

HigherHER

Dress for Success Cincinnati will be holding mock interviews every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month in 2023!

During these mock interviews, women can practice their interviews with real employers.

If you're interested in mock interviews, you can sign up here. Spots are limited!

All interviews take place at our office in Norwood.

StyleHER

The Mobile Career Transformation Center allows us to take our full complement of styling services to women across the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region. See below for upcoming events.

• April 3 // Lighthouse Youth Services
• April 5 // Housing Authority of Covington

If you or your agency would like additional information about scheduling, participating or volunteering for a Mobile event, email our Styling Services Manager at kblack@dfscincy.org.

Volunteer of the Year Nomination

Our nominations for Volunteer of the year 2022 are in! Our top 3 vote getters are listed below. Here are a few examples of the fabulous things that were said:

Lisa Massa - "Lisa consistently goes above and beyond and has done so for over twenty years. She shows up -truly shows up- for clients in the styling studio, as well as board/committee meetings, and special events. Lisa never misses an obligation, is incredibly thoughtful in her approach and work, and always has a smile on her face."

Jinada Snell - "Jinada is the living example of our mission. She is kind, welcoming and always willing to lend a hand. Jinada is dedicated to DFS and has a heart to serve!"

Linda Vaccariello - "Very cooperative and adaptable. Takes initiative without prompting. I've seen her take special interest in the clients during styling events. Linda is patient and kind. What I find to be specifically noteworthy is that she makes her clients feel comfortable and valued. I particularly appreciate how she respects each client's individual condition or situation and tries to meet their needs as she is able."

Congratulations Lisa, Jinada and Linda! It truly is a huge honor to be nominated out of over 300 volunteers. The winner will be announced during Volunteer Appreciation Week (4/17/23 - 4/20/23.) Stay tuned to our social media sites for more information!

Lisa Massa

Jinada Snell

Linda Vaccariello

Assistance Programs for Hamilton County Homeowners: Relief for Mortgages, Utilities, Taxes, and Repairs

If you are in need of any relief payments, grants, abatements and tax credits to ease the burden of homeownership, please check out this article by The Voice of Black Cincinnati.

These housing programs are designed to help homeowners maintain safe, energy-efficient homes and reduce foreclosures and unsafe living conditions.

Join the DFSC Client Facebook Group!

If you're not already connected, join our DFSC Participant Facebook Group. In this group you are able to network with other women and stay up to date on all of our upcoming events!

Attend a Volunteer Open House

Are you looking for a new way to help support women in your community?

Stop by our next volunteer open house on April 13th from 11:30 am – 2 pm! Join us to meet the Dress for Success Cincinnati team, learn about the various volunteer opportunities and find out why you should volunteer with us. If you can’t make it but would like to learn more about volunteering, please reach out to the Volunteer Manager, Courtney Shannon at cshannon@dfscincy.org.

Download the Dress for Success App!

Join Dress for Success to become a part of a community to help you overcome gender-based challenges as you search and apply for jobs, interview, or take the next steps in your career.

When you join, you will have the opportunity to:

• Meet and connect with other women, fellow job seekers and professionals looking to get ahead
• Network with professionals ready to give you personalized career coaching and advice
• Take part in workshops and online courses featuring expert presenters on topics like reskilling, financial education, and stress management
• Access exclusive resources and opportunities from Dress for Success partners

Search "Dress for Success" in the App Store or Google Play

New opportunities and events for you to discover in our area.

Dress for Success Cincinnati is committed to bringing you new opportunities to learn and connect with our Cincinnati community. Here are some upcoming opportunities for you to get involved and stay connected:

Workout on the Green

April 5 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm // Washington Park

No contracts, no excuses, just free workout classes every Wednesday in Washington Park! Learn more here.

Mama's Blessing: A Rite of Passage Celebration

April 8 @ 12:00 pm // The Factory Events 

Join Queens Village for a ceremony that celebrates pregnancy and the passage into motherhood. It derives from a African tradition in which the expectant mother and her closest family/friends gather to support, nurture and empower an expectant mother. During this event Mamas will be pampered and showered with love, blessings, and intentional support to prepare for the milestone of giving birth. This event is intentionally reserved for expecting Mamas who are 32 weeks or less by April 8th. You can learn more and register here.



Greater Cincinnati Earth Day Festival

April 22 @ 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm // Summit Park

Learn about the ways that practicing the 7 R's of Sustainability helps our planet, and how organizations across Cincinnati are taking strides toward more sustainable practices! There will be activities for all ages, including crafts and a petting zoo. Performances from Highly Likely, the School of Rock Kids Band, and more! Sip and bite from local food truck and beer partners. Exhibitors will feature activities and presentations about environmental education, volunteering, home gardening, local foods, composting, and more at the event. Learn more here!

Israel @ 75

April 30 @ 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm // Summit Park

Celebrate 75 years of Israel’s independence at Summit Park! Stop by for a multicultural festival highlighting the diversity of Israel through hands-on experiences, food, art, games, and more! Enjoy a special performance by popular Israeli drumming group Mayumana to conclude the festivities.