Driving Confidence North: Success Express Returns to Northern Minnesota

For the third year in a row, Dress for Success Twin Cities brought its mission on the road by traveling across Northern Minnesota with our mobile confidence unit RV, Success Express, to deliver workplace attire, coaching, and community connection directly to women in rural and Tribal communities. During the week of May 11, the team made meaningful stops at Ball Club and Cass Lake on the Leech Lake Reservation, White Earth Tribal and Community College in Mahnomen and Maadaadizi Workforce Center in Naytahwaush on the White Earth Reservation, and the Bois Forte Reservation in Tower.

At the heart of this journey was a remarkable volunteer duo: Dave and Janelle Brechon. Dave safely navigated the RV across hundreds of miles ensuring clients were welcomed warmly while managing the steady flow of visitors. Meanwhile, Janelle, a longtime Confidence Coach volunteer, led clothing services inside the RV. She created a joyful, and deeply supportive environment for every woman who stepped aboard.

Husband and wife volunteer team Janelle and Dave Brechon in Bemidji.

This year's trip highlighted what happens when consistency meets trust. At Ball Club, many women returned after receiving Confidence Kits the year before. Word spread quickly and many of these women brought daughters, cousins, and coworkers this time. One woman shared that receiving her kit on her birthday had been "the best gift" she had ever received. Another women who once hesitated to take a blazer proudly returned, recounting how it sparked compliments at a business meeting. For others, small moments turned transformational—like discovering the online style tips portal or learning about virtual classes they hadn't known existed.

Park State Bank volunteer team (Becky Thurman, Katie DiIorio, Sam Lindahl, and Tracy Clafton) at Ball Club Community Center.

Across each stop, the impact was immediate and personal. At the White Earth sites, nearly all of the women were new to services. One woman, overcome with gratitude, spontaneously hugged Janelle during her visit. A young woman was so excited by the experience at the community college that she called her mother, who followed the RV to the next stop to participate. These moments underscored the power of access and word of mouth in rural communities.

Raven Freebird and Nicole Desjarlais from White Earth Tribal and Community College in Mahnomen coordinated the event.

Jenny Morris, Janelle Brechon, Esther Ames, Megan Meuli, Corrine Roy and her son Desmond, and Sheri Snetsinger. Sheri, Esther, and Corrine were key in setting up the event at Maadaadizi Workforce Center in Naytahwaush.

Throughout the week, the team celebrated countless wins such as a perfectly fitted blazer found for a client who worried about sizing and another of a young woman overcoming visible nerves to leave smiling with confidence.

Park State Bank volunteer team (Rochelle Hyppa, Sheariah Hultgren, and Wendy Stevens) at Fortune Bay Casino on the Bois Forte Reservation in Tower.

Visiting Beltrami County Health and Human Services team in Bemidji. This outreach event was set up by Amy Mistic, Bryce Brittain, and Chad Schroth in Bemidji.

Thanks to Circle K for providing fuel for Success Express year round, especially in Bemidji after long days of travel around the region!

Leech Lake Reservation's The Facility hosted our last event in Cass Lake. Jenny Morris and Diane Osceola from Enbridge. Last photo is Megan Meuli with Miguel Ryes and his Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Workforce Development Team in Cass Lake.

This impactful journey would not have been possible without the generous support of Enbridge, Park State Bank, and Circle K, our fuel sponsor. Their investment continues to expand access to critical services while empowering women to step into their potential.

The team and Success Express returned home with empty shelves and full hearts. It carried much more than clothing. It carried confidence, connection, and the unmistakable truth: when we show up consistently, listen deeply, and meet women where they are, transformation follows.