TAMPA, Fla. — The Westfield Citrus Park mall opened its doors early for a very special event: The Dress for Success Tampa Bay nonprofit their 8th annual 5K power walk to raise money for their programs.
Former beneficiaries volunteered at the walk.
“They gave me job training skills that I did not have to get back into the workforce, because I wasn’t really computer literate," Frankie Anderson said. "So they taught me how to do that. And help me build my resume to fit the market, for today -- and I’ve been going strong ever since."
Anderson lost her job in 2012. With two children to care for, she turned to Dress for Success to turn her life around.
When asked what role they played in her success, "Major role, man. They helped me, literally, reinvent myself. They taught me how to do things," Anderson said. "They gave me skills I didn’t have, and they just empowered me.
"They let me know I’m not alone. And I’m with so many other women.”
Dress for Success gives women the physical and emotional tools they need to re-enter the workforce. The group hosts resume workshops, mock interviews and provides women with interview attire.
Vicky Ridenour has participated in the Dress for Success power walk two years in a row.
“I love what I do here, I volunteer as well. So I’ve worked in their boutique, I’ve helped people get ready for interviews,” Ridenour said. “And I’ll tell you, when I do it. I get more out of it then they do.
"They’ll start crying and hug me, and it’s just so amazing to see what I can do for these women.”
All of the money raised from the 5K goes directly back to Dress for Success Tampa Bay. Last year, the nonprofit helped 2,000 people. This year, they hope to help at least 2,500 more.
A lot of the clothing is donated, but certain items need to be purchased.
“We purchase large size clothing, large size shoes and bras. We now give every woman who walks through our door a brand new bra, because we had so many women without a bra and that is so important," said Katie McGill, Executive Director of Dress for Success Tampa Bay.
The organization provides both physical and emotional tools for a better future.
“We make sure that we are not just giving them a suit. We are giving them hope and that could be a mock interview, someone might need resume help," McGill. "We do dress rehearsal and we send them out to a company and they interview them for us before we get them ready. They have to do an elevator pitch. We are giving them all the tools they need in order to be successful."
Around 60 percent of the women Dress for Success works with are single mothers getting back into the workforce.
- Florida trooper, 23, accused of having a sexual relationship with an underage teen
- Police search for 2-year-old Oregon boy after parents died in apparent murder-suicide in Montana
- Ex-lawyer of accused Clearwater parking lot shooter has law license stripped
- 25 arrests made during online predator, human trafficking sting in Sarasota
- Florida mother, son win lottery, then go to jail
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now.
Have a news tip? Email desk@wtsp.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.