Dress For Success Louisville

The mission of Dress for Success Louisville is to promote the economic independence of unemployed and underemployed women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Dress for Success Louisville is proud of our strong lineage. The Louisville affiliate was founded in 2000 after a national news program brought attention to the organization, started in New York City. Two Louisville women were motivated to bring the services and career development opportunities to the women in the Kentuckiana community. Since that time, the Louisville chapter has assisted more than 16,000 women from 100+ agencies in our community

Dress for Success Louisville now serves Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt, Spencer, Shelby, Henry, Meade, Nelson and Trimble counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd, Harrison and Washington in Indiana.

Our purpose is to offer long-lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty. Dress for Success Louisville 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 Programs:

Suiting Program - Each woman that visits receives at least one business suit, shoes, hosiery, and professional accessories for her job interview. Our fabulous volunteers called “Personal Shoppers” give every client the one-on-one attention they need to boost their confidence. These volunteers treat all our clients with dignity and respect. Clients come to Dress for Success® Louisville by referral only from a diverse group of social service agencies and non-profit organizations including job training programs, domestic violence and homeless shelters. All clients are then invited back for a second complete suit after they have been hired. Each client is helped with wardrobe building and given advice on how to mix and match her clothing during the workweek.

Employment Retention - Having completed the crucial first step—securing employment—women in these programs focus on retaining their jobs and developing their professional skills. Our goal is to ensure each woman is moving towards meaningful and sustainable careers as well as financial independence.

Job Training - Our career readiness programs support women as they address any possible obstacles to securing employment. Through the tools and resources they receive, participants are empowered to continue and succeed in their job searches.