From client to volunteer: A Dress For Success story of triumph

For 10 years, Dress for Success in Downtown Oklahoma City has helped thousands of women reach their potential, and their services all start with respect.

“You really can exceed and excel if you put yourself and your mind and use our resources,” said Alisa Trang Green, Dress for Success, Chairwoman and local Founder.

A key component of the nonprofit is not just helping women look the part, but also to live the part.

“I think it’s really important that we are helping women find work, but are we teaching women how to stay employed, are we teaching women how to ask for raises, are teaching women that maybe your time at this company is over,” said Green.

80 percent of their clients are single mothers, making it equally important to teach work and family balance.

“So there really isn’t a one-size-fits-all, is what we call it, here at Dress for Success; we tailor every program for each client,” said Green. 

Clients like Elisa Joseph

“So, my life was literally upside down,” said Elisa Joseph, client turned volunteer.

After moving to Oklahoma as an RN, Elisa lost her job due to COVID. Raising two boys, she needed a job with more consistent work hours, and she found it.

“And then my house burned down, four months later,” said Joseph.

She was referred to Dress for Success, where she says she will never forget how they made her feel.

“I was treated like I was in a million-dollar boutique, like I was spending top dollar. What’s your size? Let me go and get that, how does that fit, come out and let’s see,” said Joseph.

The program gave her hope for her future.

“I earned my bachelor's and then I earned my master’s in nursing administration, and then I opened up my nonprofit, with the help of Dress for Success, of course,” said Joseph. 

She now volunteers at the agency that she says saved her life.

“Them offering an opportunity for me to serve and volunteer made me feel like I was kind of earning my keep in life,” said Joseph.

The agency received a generous $35,000 donation from Paycom and Paycom employees to help more women with scholarships, programs, and, of course, clothes. 

Volunteers like Elisa are always needed to get the process started; visit their website at oklahomacity.dressforsuccess.org