In a Gentle Way…
May 31, 2008 | 
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The celebration of student success seems omnipresent in May. Students celebrate their accomplishments, bid goodbye to the known, and charge ahead into the unknown. Success and excitement for what is to come color the academic scene.
Dress For Success, a center for non-profit excellence, is a community resource of the Women’s Resource Agency, working to insure that personal and professional development become available to women who have not been included within the privileged academic community. The Agency ‘s mission is to help women to help themselves by providing a core of professional and personal development services, plus youth services, that stress character building, leadership, and mentorship for youth ranging from 8th to 12th grade.
Beth Roalstad, Executive Director of Women’s Resource Agency, shared a historical perspective with CSR+ about the history of WRA. In the 33 years since its inception in Colorado Springs, the Agency has garnered resources in the form of private donations, grants, scholarships, and contracts to support much needed materials to the program. Program specialists surround their clients with support and provide multi-tiered levels of assistance for women who wish to enter the work force but require help in order know how to begin.
Beth and Christie P. Linn, Director of Adult Services, described the concept of “wrap around services” for the Agency’s clients. They estimate that the 1,000+ women who have participated in the Agency’s programs have been able to transition from disenfranchisement to career savvy self-sufficiency by making use of career coaching, interview practice, resume preparation, job club activities and “dress for success” persona via appropriate interview clothing, career apparel, and individual planning and consultation.
Beth, Christie, and the entire staff have worked to provide a safe zone within which this can occur. Located at 750 Citadel Drive East, Suite 3116 , (adjacent to J. C. Penny) the Agency’s offices provide multiple areas for clients to seek support. This locale was chosen because “it is a main bus transfer hub; it’s a safe and secure space, and our clients can be anonymous if necessary.”
The 3,000 square foot office houses individual conference room, computer modules, a workshop mini-complex, and rows of career apparel “that our program specialists assist the client to choose as their interview wardrobe.”
Clients receive the first apparel for no cost, but if they wish to purchase additional clothing “the price is right!” Clients can purchase name-brand suits from an average of $5.00. “Blouses range from 50 cents to $1.00. The public is invited to purchase as well, but the prices will be somewhat higher. “$8.00 for a suit.”
“Individual donors have been most generous,” Beth told us. “However, there is a great need for women’s undergarments and hosiery, which must be new. Some of our clients have left their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs, so you can see how much they need.”
Beth, Christie, and the WRA team have planned special events throughout the year to attract more contributions to the Agency. They are presently planning “Fashion to he Rescue” a gala event co-sponsored with Dillard’s, the Colorado Springs Fire Fighters, Zonta (international women’s organization), The El Pomar Foundation, and Pikes Peak United Way. The $60.00 ticket will provide much needed capital for ongoing activities throughout the year.
On September 24th, “Ladies Who Lunch” will celebrate women and girls who require access to community resources that interface with mental and physical health. Our readers may learn more by calling WRA at: 471-3170.
“We always welcome help,” Beth said. “We certainly could use interns to help out with staffing, and bring in their own community awareness. “ Presently Beth has intern recruits from Colorado College, but she certainly would welcome university students from other area universities as well.
WRA is a Family Empowerment Team that partners with several agencies in the Colorado Springs area. To learn more about this resource, Beth and her staff welcome your inquiries, interest, and assistance. They are only a phone call away: 471-3170.
May is, indeed, a special month of celebration. Dress for Success is very much a part of that positive picture.
- M
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