Dress for Success Tampa Bay

Dress for Success Tampa Bay empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. Since 1998 it has worked with referral partners across Tampa Bay to serve unemployed and underemployed women, using "woman" in a gender-expansive way that includes cis, trans, nonbinary and gender-nonconforming women. It welcomes women in every circumstance, including those returning from incarceration, experiencing homelessness, relocating or reentering work after caregiving or a layoff.

At its boutique in Tampa, trained styling volunteers put together an interview outfit with shoes, accessories, undergarments and toiletries, and once a client lands a job, a full week of workplace clothing. Volunteer career coaches meet one on one, virtually or in person, to update resumes and LinkedIn profiles, practice interviews and plan a job search. The three-week Moving Forward program covers everything from resume preparation to mock interviews.

The support continues after the offer letter. The Professional Women's Group meets monthly for peer networking and a local speaker, and financial education courses with bank and corporate partners cover budgeting, credit, debt, taxes, investing and retirement. Signature events include the annual Power Walk and the Empowerment on the Runway fashion show.

Women can request styling or career coaching through the website, and styling appointments are required. Volunteers coach, style, sort donations and staff the front desk, companies bring teams for group projects, and donors can drop off work-appropriate women's clothing at the boutique, with a separate drop-off for the St. Petersburg community.