Dress for Success - Bakersfield

Our Mission is 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.

Our Vision is a world where women do not live in poverty; are treated with dignity and respect; and are strengthening their families and shaping their communities.

Our Purpose is to offer long-lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty. Dress for Success is part of a global movement for change, empowering women to obtain safer and better futures.We provide each client with professional attire to secure employment, but we are about much more than simply a new outfit. Besides physically equipping the client with apparel and accessories, our programs furnish her with a confidence that she carries forever and the knowledge that she can actively define her life, the direction she takes and what success means to her.

Our History Dress for Success was formed in 1997 in New York and has since grown into one of the largest women’s organizations in the world with affiliates in 156 cities in 24 countries.

Dress for Success Bakersfield opened its doors in late 2012. Although we are affiliated by name, we receive no funding from the DFS WorldWide organization. Nor do we receive any government funds, although we are a fee for service contractor to Kern County. This means that we provide supportive services to clients referred by Kern County and are paid a fee per client. This is one way we raise funds to support ourselves. We are a standalone 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation with a local governing Board of Directors consisting of 7 community members.

Other ways that we raise funds are by writing grants to corporation and foundations. We hold fundraisers such as our Imbibe Night in February. In June 2016 we kicked off our In Her Shoes Empowerment Breakfast to showcase our client’s success stories. Quarterly, we hold excess inventory sales. And of course we rely on individual donors to support us monthly, yearly or whatever works for them.

Dress for Success Bakersfield takes referrals for clients from over 40 Partner Agencies. Since opening our doors, Dress for Success Bakersfield has provided services to over 1600 women. They have been fitted with work appropriate clothing, they have received job skills training and access to Career Mentoring and job search assistance through the Career Center. All client services are paid for by the generous support of companies and individuals in our community. And we need the financial support of businesses and individuals in the community to continue our programs. Donations can be made through our website:www.bakersfield.dressforsuccess.org.