“Dress for Success San Jose has been a major steppingstone in my recovery. Everyone at Dress for Success San Jose have helped me stay focused and hopeful in my job search. They taught me to say YES to any and every opportunity that presents itself to me, even if the idea seems intimidating at first.

This organization shined a light on my path to success when everything else seemed relatively dark. When I first discovered this program at the job-resource fair hosted by my local adult probation department, I had nothing. I had no way of getting there, but after that initial contact I followed up anyway. When I left that first consultation at their resourced (and refreshingly organized) boutique, staffed with volunteers from the community, I had clothes that I’d later wear to multiple successful job interviews; most importantly, I left that appointment with a sense of support and hope for my future that had otherwise become so foreign and distant to me.

Since then, I have landed multiple positions and attended multiple events hosted by Dress for Success San Jose and businesses willing to partner with them to help women expand their professional potential. I am now working at a restaurant that I love and working as an intern at a data lab at Stanford University. I have started a professional project management certification course sponsored by Dress for Success San Jose; received complimentary professional headshots; a profile upgrade and consultation from LinkedIn staff members themselves; and am part of a growing social platform hosted by Dress for Success and shared by women with similar goals and unique experiences.

Most importantly, I found that sense of hope and support from a group of inspirational people in my community whose mission is to make a tangible, impactful difference in people’s lives, no matter where we come from. That is invaluable.”