In a world of uncertainty, it could be any of us

By Stephanie Silvers

Who looks for help at DFSTC?

When people ask me about our Dress for Success Twin Cities clients — who they are, what their stories look like — the truth is that there’s no such thing as a “typical” client. In a world of uncertainty, any one of us might be just a paycheck away from needing services.

Every client has a story

Consider Jamie,* who reached out when she suddenly found herself, at age 48, divorced, juggling childcare and elderly parent care, while also rejoining the workforce for the first time in a long time.

Or Tina, whose addiction recovery journey led her to our door, looking for a new support system and updated job skills.

Or Janine, whose experience with healthcare bills created a precarious financial situation and the need for a higher-paying job with better benefits.

Or Sally, a single mom and formerly incarcerated person, who was looking to turn over a new leaf.

Or Shannon, whose family lost everything during a natural disaster, and that meant completely starting over.

Every DFSTC client has a unique story. But many share something in common: a sudden change that ripples across their lives. Yes, family members and friends can help. But often a woman’s new reality requires more than lending her an ear or a couch.

Asking for help is never easy

Accepting help can be challenging — and asking for help even more so. Women are often the caregivers, tending to everyone else but themselves. And yet, when life becomes unmanageable, that’s when many find their way to Dress for Success Twin Cities.

More than job skills

At DFSTC, we specialize in empowering our clients to find employment success — whatever that may look like for each woman. And that translates into safer and brighter futures. That happens through client-centered programming, including teaching how to create a budget, navigate a computer, and develop digital literacy.

But we offer much more than job skills. We focus on improving health and wellness, increasing emotional intelligence, understanding personal worth, matching outer appearance with inner confidence, maintaining a new way of life, and building a supportive network.

The power of community

That last piece, that community of support, is critical. Our staff walk alongside our clients, offering understanding, knowledge, and encouragement. And our clients do the same for one another.

We know that finding community helps shift mindsets. Over time, clients come to understand that they’re not alone, that they can trust others to help, and that their survival can be a strength.

A hand up, not a handout

At DFSTC, we often say that what we provide is not a handout but a hand up. And that’s true for all our clients — no matter who they are, or where they begin their journey.

— Stephanie Silvers
Chief Executive Officer
Dress for Success Twin Cities

*For privacy reasons, all names have been changed.