Having opened its doors at the Holly Pointe Building, 220 S. Main St., in July, the Dress for Success program has already helped more than 100 women, empowering them to achieve better futures.

Women are referred to Dress for Success for many reasons, but mostly because they want a better life for themselves and their families, according to Melanie Usher, Butler branch manager with Dress for Success Pittsburgh.

“They may be coming from an abuse situation. They may be coming in from the re-entry program from the Butler County jail,” Usher said. “They may be a mom going back to work for the first time, and she really hasn't had the need or the opportunity to have business casual clothing.”

Dress for Success also works with Butler County Community College students who may need clothing for a special event, such as an academic award recognition. Usher said the program hopes to build similar partnerships with other schools.

There are no income requirements or age limits. The only condition is that a woman is referred to the program by a community organization or agency that feels she could use help dressing a special event in her life.

But the Dress for Success program is designed to be more than just a place to find appropriate clothing. The program hopes to inspire women to achieve the next level in their lives.

“It's to start them on their journey and help them complete that journey. When you walk in, our goal is to create a welcome, inviting and inspirational environment. We try to pull quotes and imagery that bring in empowerment and take it from room to room,” Usher said.

Clients meet one-on-one with a program volunteer who will choose several outfits ahead of time based on the client's size and event criteria.

The volunteer will take the client through several rooms within the boutique to help create an outfit and then help clients complete their look with shoes and accessories. During the process, volunteers talk about the upcoming interview or event to provide the client some guidance or support.

The rooms are designed to look like a small clothing boutique with dress forms in the latest styles, complete with scarves, jewelry and other accessories. Several neatly kept racks of donated business clothes are arranged by size.

A volunteer will help the client create an outfit and also show how basic pieces can be used with clothes the client may already own to create different looks without expense.

In the shoe room, a client can choose from all types of shoes ranging from size five to 11 to coordinate with her outfit. Then the volunteer will escort her to the accessories and personal care items room to pull together the finishing touches for her chosen outfit.

“We show her how easy it is to wardrobe and accessorize on a budget. With everything being donated, we want to make sure the clothing is current and on-trend. So we show her how to wear it to show how simple it is update her style to feel comfortable in her own skin, while still expressing her individuality,” Usher said. “If she wants, we take before and after photos so she can go back and see her transformation. It allows her to feel that sense of excitement and energy on that transformational journey.”

PA Workwear also provides the boutique with uniforms for Butler County women who receive assistance funds. Medical scrubs, culinary uniforms, or even steel-toed boots can be obtained.

Dress for Success goes a step further by offering career development workshops and professional women's group meetings to its clients. These workshops and meetings are also open to the public.

The workshops address personal and professional enrichment subjects such as the fundamentals of banking, preventing identity theft and improving credit scores.

Certifications are often given after completing a series of workshops, so attendees can add these certifications to their resumes.

Butler resident Lacey Bergbigler discovered the Dress for Success program when she volunteered to work for a day at the program through the Employment, Advancement and Retention Network program, which addresses the needs of welfare recipients with barriers to employment.

Usher helped Bergbigler prepare an outfit for job interview at a local warehouse supermarket as a demonstration representative. When Bergbigler got the position, she was invited back to obtain the uniform pieces required for the job.

Bergbigler explained Dress for Success was invaluable in helping her get the job and then get started.

“I've had jobs that I've had to go and get clothes, and it made it harder because of not having the money. If you're just starting a job, what money do you have to get ready?” she said. “It was easier knowing I had somewhere to go where they had the perfect clothes that fit beautifully.”

Jeanne Thomas, also a Butler resident, already had a job at Career T.R.A.C.K., which helps individuals who have experienced difficulty in their careers. She said she just needed to update her wardrobe for her new job.

She found that not only did she receive clothing, but she also learned about color matching and accessorizing. She is now a volunteer at Dress for Success helping to suit other women.

“This place is amazing. It's helped me learn to dress professionally, but more importantly, I felt confident when I left here,” Thomas said.