Bacardi volunteers lend a helping hand [Video]
This summer, Bacardi volunteers donated their time to help our Vets for Success participants with their resumes and other digital job search training. Hear some of their stories above.
Want to work with us?
The work of Suited for Success/Dress for Success Miami would not be possible without the support of companies, organizations, and other groups. While we are fortunate to receive donations of business clothing on a weekly basis, which helps suit our clients for their interviews, we also fundraise to support our employment skills training programs.
There are several ways you, as a company, organization, or group, can help support our program. Here are a few examples of third-party events (those hosted by an entity other than Suited for Success/Dress for Success Miami):
Have an event coming up?
Consider designating Suited for Success/Dress for Success Miami as the event’s charity beneficiary. This is typically done through donating a portion of ticket sales or event proceeds.
Work in an office with a strict dress code?
Many firms and companies (or even private schools!) with dress codes will occasionally host a “casual day,” which allows employees to dress down on a weekday for a donation to a specific charity, usually $5-$10. Check with your HR department to find out if your company would be up for this.
Are you a local business?
Host a “Suited for Success/Dress for Success Miami” day and donate a portion of the days’ sales while letting your clients know that you give back. Restaurants and bars can consider hosting a Young Executives for Success networking happy hour, which brings together Miami’s best and brightest young professionals.
Have another idea?
We are always open to new, creative, and appropriate ideas and partnerships.
Prior approval is required for all events and partnerships, at the sole discretion of our management team and Board of Directors. Suited for Success/Dress for Success Miami may, at its discretion, provide promotional support to third-party events, but cannot fund or otherwise host these events. Please contact Angeline Evans at angeline@suitedforsuccess.org at least 6 weeks before your event to begin the process.
Why I volunteer in the Career Center (and why you should consider it, too)
When I moved from Dallas to Miami I was looking for a volunteer opportunity where I could utilize my experience in business while making a positive impact in the lives of others. What I wasn’t prepared for was the impact it would make in my own life.
As a volunteer for the Career Center at Dress for Success Miami, I have discovered a sense of passion for connecting with and giving back to those in need. I see clients every week who are passionate about finding a career; they just need some coaching from someone to locate an opportunity. Through connecting with my clients, I find that most of them are not unlike myself and have ended up in their situation through no fault of their own. I realized that in some cases I could easily be in my client’s situation, without a job or way to make a living for my family. The moment I recognized how similar we are, I began to have a true appreciation for the impact that non-profit organizations such as Dress for Success Miami have in other’s lives.
As a career center volunteer I get the pleasure of connecting with several clients each week while helping them create a resume, search for a job, or prepare for an interview. Throughout the process I am able to utilize my professional experience as a hiring manager to assist someone who is passionate about finding a career. I have discovered that volunteering at the career center is not only personally rewarding, but also develops me professionally. As I’ve learned through my own career development, listening, connecting with others, and giving regular feedback helps me become a better leader to my teams. Volunteering at Dress for Success Miami allows me to utilize those same skills to help those needing employment. Each client that visits the career center has a different background of experience, and through listening and connecting with them I am able to search for the career that best suits their needs.
As weeks and months of preparing clients for careers goes by, there is nothing as inspiring as receiving that email or phone call that of my clients has been hired. If you are looking for a looking for a way to make a difference in our community while utilizing your professional experience, please consider the Dress for Success Miami Career Center.
— Susan, Career Center volunteer
Career Center gets a makeover
Out with the old, in with the new!
This summer, Dress for Success Miami received a grant from Allegany Franciscan Ministries to update its Career Center technology and office equipment. Now our clients have the opportunity to learn the latest technology crucial to today’s job environment.
Eligible clients may now browse jobs online before or after their suiting sessions, or make an appointment to receive one-on-one for resume consultation, online job search guidance and interview practice with one of our great volunteers.
We are looking for more volunteers to commit to one or two shifts a month (typically a long lunch hour) at our Career Center. We are open to individual volunteers as well as corporate partners looking for employee volunteer opportunities. Please contact Angeline Evans at angeline@suitedforsuccess.org to learn more.
The grant also provided for computers, desks and other office supplies for our two new employees, who were hired in June thanks to an increase in our contract with the Southeast Overtown/Park West Community Redevelopment Agency to assist with administrative support and community outreach. Thank you, Allegany Franciscan Ministries!
Celebrate National Ice Cream Month with Dress for Success Miami and The Frieze Ice Cream Factory
In honor of National Ice Cream Month this July, Dress for Success Miami and The Frieze Ice Cream Factory have teamed up to offer a unique, custom flavor called “Taste of Success.” The owners at The Frieze carefully crafted this flavor to symbolize the path our clients take when they receive the support of Dress for Success Miami. From the chocolate, vanilla, and coffee flavors symbolizing the diverse backgrounds of our clients, to the marshmallows and chocolate chunks representing the “rocky road” that our clients have taken, the Taste of Success
During the month of July, customers will have the opportunity to taste success while giving back to the women we serve. The Frieze Ice Cream Factory will donate 20% of each scoop of Taste of Success purchased back to Dress for Success Miami. The funds raised will go towards our clients’ employment skills training program.
Our goal is to serve up 2,500 scoops of Taste of Success ice cream in July, enabling us to help five women with our full employment skills training program and professional attire for their interview.
“When ice cream translates into to generosity, it’s a beautiful thing,” says Sonia Jacobson, founder and executive director of Dress for Success Miami. “I know that’s why people will come out to try our flavor and help us reach more than 2,500 scoops.”
On Wednesday, July 27, 2016, from 6-9 p.m., Dress for Success Miami’s Hispanic Community Ambassador, Chiquinquira Delgado, Venezuelan TV personality, model, actress and renowned designer, together with celebrity fitness guru and author Adriana Martin, will host a celebrity scoop event. The event will take place at The Frieze Ice Cream Factory at 1626 Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139, and will be open to the public.
“It’s our way of saying thank you for the support and building additional momentum to raise even more awareness and funds for our organization,” continues Jacobson.
“I think the community will really enjoy the flavor profile we created with the Dress for Success Miami team for this month-long offer,” says Lisa Warren, owner of The Frieze Ice Cream Factory. “It’s a symbolic yet tasty combination. Events like this truly capture our desire to give back to the Miami community.”
Calling all runners, joggers and walkers for 5K PARKfest
Get fit while giving back by joining the Dress for Success Miami / Suited for Success team for 5K PARKfest!
5K PARKfest is a one-of-a-kind event that gives back to your cause. Join us on beautiful Virginia Key Beach on Oct. 3 for a fun-filled day, culminating in a timed 5K run/jog/walk. Half of each registration fee goes directly to our cause.
You heard right: $20 of your $40 registration will go toward Dress for Success Miami/Suited for Success employment skills training programs.
Not a runner? Sign up and walk with us in the 2.5K walk.
Bring the whole family and enjoy the PARK mini run, Kids Play Zone, yoga & wellness activities, healthy food trucks, celebrity DJs, live music, raffles, giveaways and more!
Sign up and share today: http://www.5kparkfest.org/teamProfile.php?teamId=211
Save the Date – Go “all in” for Suited for Success
Join us for a night of fun, food, drink and play to support our employment skills training program for men.
Suited for Success empowers low-income, unemployed and underemployed individuals in Miami-Dade County to obtain gainful employment and achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment skills training and business clothing. Since 1994, Suited for Success has helped over 50,000 clients turn their dreams into reality through its men’s, youth and Dress for Success Miami women’s programs.
Visit the event page for more details >
That finishing touch
Suited for Success Miami is currently in need of men’s shoes, ties, belts and cufflinks to help us put the finishing touch on our clients’ transformations. We’re calling on our supporters to round up some of these gently used items and bring them by during our weekly donation hours.
Another idea: hold an office drive to collect these items from your colleagues. Use the digital flyer below to spread the word. Please contact us before scheduling your drive so we can prepare for your donation.
