Dress for Success Hartford

Dress for Success Hartford helps women in the Hartford area move toward financial independence through professional clothing, job training and career support. It is an independent nonprofit member of the Dress for Success network, and the women it serves are referred by local partner agencies such as American Job Centers, adult education programs and community organizations.

The Suiting Program is the first step. Once a woman has an interview scheduled, a partner agency refers her, and volunteer Personal Shoppers help her choose a suit, shoes and accessories. After she is hired, she returns for the clothing she needs to start work. The free Employment Readiness Program is a four-week course with weekly sessions on customizing a resume, mock interviews and using LinkedIn, along with one-on-one time with career coaches. The Career Management Coaching Program pairs a client with a volunteer coach for four to five sessions over two months.

Once women are working, the Professional Women's Group offers invitation-only monthly networking and expert speakers on financial literacy, health and wellness, workplace etiquette and work/life balance. The annual Capital Catwalk fundraiser, held at Hartford Stage, puts local celebrities and community leaders on the runway and supports the employment programs.

Volunteers can email hartford@dressforsuccess.org or call (860) 525-5015, the same number to ask about clothing donations. Volunteer orientations are held virtually every other month except July and August.