This is the confidence that Dress for Success Twin Cities has helped Bryn build. She first arrived at our organization wearing a khaki uniform as an inmate from the Shakopee Women’s Prison as part of the Challenge Incarceration Program. This early release program is an intensive, and high stakes program that non-violent crime offenders are able to apply for if they have good behavior and have proven they are truly working towards a better life.
Dress for Success Twin Cities has partnered with the women in this program for many years providing mock interviews, individual coaching, and business attire for participants to use in interviews and employment upon release. This program includes rigorous physical activity, so many of the women lose weight, and the majority of their clothing prior to their conviction no longer fits.
Bryn has successfully completed this program and upon release was able to find full time employment at Clothier Design Source as a Trim Lead. Where she is currently working to create masks for those working on the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bryn continued utilizing our services to grow, find support, and discover the strength she has within to find her own path to success.
Bryn has created a new life for herself and her family. She frequently talks about the importance of having a positive network of support, especially as she fights for full custody of her young daughter. We are proud of all the accomplishments that Bryn has made in the past year and know that this is only the beginning of her story.
Bryn's Journey
Bryn Martello is not just a woman. As one of Dress for Success Twin Cities U Leaders, she embodies grace and poise with her two fingers on the heartbeat of supporting women through thick and thin. Her goal to find and create her community is built upon her own past challenges.
“I didn’t have community [of women] to help me move forward,” Bryn said, “There was no locus to keep my centered. I wanted to be a professional woman and a successful mother- a political force that can speak out.”
Lacing up her boots
Bryn’s story begins after being in the Shakopee Women’s Prison multiple times for alcohol offenses. While serving her sentence, Bryn became involved in Challenge Incarceration Boot Camp. Through an intense period lasting 18 months – in 3 phases- participants who are charged with nonviolent drug and property offenses can be considered for early release. The goal of “Boot Camp,” as she describes, comes in three phases. The first phase was volunteer work in the community. For the first month of phase 1, Bryn was chosen to help at Dress for Success Twin Cities as a sales volunteer.
Women at Work
Bryn’s time volunteering helped her become connected with the professional women at DFSTC; Tammy Traeger and Program Director Megan Meuli among them. From watching these women at work and being exposed to the possibilities, Bryn saw what kind of woman she wanted to be in the future, leading her to study as a Pre-Law major. The experience working at DFSTC fueled the need to develop her skills of compassion, activism, and a strong sense of boundaries. And out of that came the need to have a mentor, “a paragon to run towards instead of away from.”
An Intelligent Woman
With her graduation from Boot Camp, a new resume, and new interview skills, Bryn’s professional life drastically changed for the better; immediately, there were employers who wanted to interview her for “at least three jobs- [which] is super rare.” Along with her new job at Habitat for Humanity, it took a heartbeat decision to continue her service work at DFSTC. As she continued, Bryn’s self-worth only grew. At the workplace, “they didn’t see me as less than- they saw an intelligent woman.” At DFSTC, Bryn continued to do weekly volunteer work and help clean and stock outfits, even through personal struggles. In this new period of equilibrium, “I had a position to help women who were in my position 10 years ago.” Bryn tells, “I am a woman who had talents [as] a positive, strong community member.” Her defining moment was speaking at the Securis Financial Annual Meeting. There, Bryn shared her story about how DFSTC had affected her. She poured her heart out to the rapt audience and openly talked about her life. When she was finished, Bryn was swarmed with support. “Multiple people came to me with job offers… they spoke to me as an asset.”
Struggle and Success
But like all things, there is struggle. Bryn learned to be honest about them; relapses before court dates being one of them. Even so, her path was not linear but meandering up and down. Her departure from Habitat for Humanity led to joining DFSTC’s U Lead Program- it fueled her with the motivation to continue in nonprofit work as the life and career she wanted.
The Definition of Success
Bryn’s definition of success comes from pushing forwards. It comes to find balance, being at peace, and always helping others. “True success is working exactly within our means,” she says. “Just because you are good at something, doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy it. Find your community and be balanced. It’s all to help humanity and redefine society as beneficial for all. No woman should be an island.”
Dress for Success Twin Cities has partnered with the women in this program for many years providing mock interviews, individual coaching, and business attire for participants to use in interviews and employment upon release. This program includes rigorous physical activity, so many of the women lose weight, and the majority of their clothing prior to their conviction no longer fits.
Bryn has successfully completed this program and upon release was able to find full time employment at Clothier Design Source as a Trim Lead. Where she is currently working to create masks for those working on the front lines during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bryn continued utilizing our services to grow, find support, and discover the strength she has within to find her own path to success.
Bryn has created a new life for herself and her family. She frequently talks about the importance of having a positive network of support, especially as she fights for full custody of her young daughter. We are proud of all the accomplishments that Bryn has made in the past year and know that this is only the beginning of her story.
Bryn's Journey
Bryn Martello is not just a woman. As one of Dress for Success Twin Cities U Leaders, she embodies grace and poise with her two fingers on the heartbeat of supporting women through thick and thin. Her goal to find and create her community is built upon her own past challenges.
“I didn’t have community [of women] to help me move forward,” Bryn said, “There was no locus to keep my centered. I wanted to be a professional woman and a successful mother- a political force that can speak out.”
Lacing up her boots
Bryn’s story begins after being in the Shakopee Women’s Prison multiple times for alcohol offenses. While serving her sentence, Bryn became involved in Challenge Incarceration Boot Camp. Through an intense period lasting 18 months – in 3 phases- participants who are charged with nonviolent drug and property offenses can be considered for early release. The goal of “Boot Camp,” as she describes, comes in three phases. The first phase was volunteer work in the community. For the first month of phase 1, Bryn was chosen to help at Dress for Success Twin Cities as a sales volunteer.
Women at Work
Bryn’s time volunteering helped her become connected with the professional women at DFSTC; Tammy Traeger and Program Director Megan Meuli among them. From watching these women at work and being exposed to the possibilities, Bryn saw what kind of woman she wanted to be in the future, leading her to study as a Pre-Law major. The experience working at DFSTC fueled the need to develop her skills of compassion, activism, and a strong sense of boundaries. And out of that came the need to have a mentor, “a paragon to run towards instead of away from.”
An Intelligent Woman
With her graduation from Boot Camp, a new resume, and new interview skills, Bryn’s professional life drastically changed for the better; immediately, there were employers who wanted to interview her for “at least three jobs- [which] is super rare.” Along with her new job at Habitat for Humanity, it took a heartbeat decision to continue her service work at DFSTC. As she continued, Bryn’s self-worth only grew. At the workplace, “they didn’t see me as less than- they saw an intelligent woman.” At DFSTC, Bryn continued to do weekly volunteer work and help clean and stock outfits, even through personal struggles. In this new period of equilibrium, “I had a position to help women who were in my position 10 years ago.” Bryn tells, “I am a woman who had talents [as] a positive, strong community member.” Her defining moment was speaking at the Securis Financial Annual Meeting. There, Bryn shared her story about how DFSTC had affected her. She poured her heart out to the rapt audience and openly talked about her life. When she was finished, Bryn was swarmed with support. “Multiple people came to me with job offers… they spoke to me as an asset.”
Struggle and Success
But like all things, there is struggle. Bryn learned to be honest about them; relapses before court dates being one of them. Even so, her path was not linear but meandering up and down. Her departure from Habitat for Humanity led to joining DFSTC’s U Lead Program- it fueled her with the motivation to continue in nonprofit work as the life and career she wanted.
The Definition of Success
Bryn’s definition of success comes from pushing forwards. It comes to find balance, being at peace, and always helping others. “True success is working exactly within our means,” she says. “Just because you are good at something, doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy it. Find your community and be balanced. It’s all to help humanity and redefine society as beneficial for all. No woman should be an island.”