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Dress For Success Provides More Than Just Clothes to Disadvantaged Women

Veronica Volk
/
WXXI

Alyssa Whitfield is a self-described fashionista since way-back.

"I just love fashion, I just love style, and I know that we can provide that for women."

Whitfield is the founder of Dress for Success Rochester, the recently-opened local branch of an international nonprofit organization that has helped 800,000 women. They help women who are down and out get a fresh start, and get back on their feet.

Credit Veronica Volk / WXXI
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WXXI

Whitfield says they work collaboratively with other organizations throughout the city to give their clients professional support.

"If they're coming from Rochester works and they've gotten some job training, maybe they have their resume fixed up, but they don't have a suit. They can come here, and then we can take them the rest of the way."

But it's more than just a suit. Whitfield says they do mock interview prep and give financial advice. She says most importantly, she wants to provide a network of professional women in the city who can all support each other.

"If you've never been in a professional environment, that's something you could use some help with. We all could."

Dress for Success runs entirely on donations and clients are dressed and mentored for free.

Credit Veronica Volk / WXXI
/
WXXI

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.