Dress for Success Celebrity Ambassador, Award-winning Actress/Comedienne Niecy Nash, celebrated the grand opening of the new West Coast regional office of Dress for Success Worldwide yesterday in Hollywood.
Niecy Nash and Joi Gordon at the ribbon cutting celebration for the new office
Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 100 cities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the U.K., and the West Indies. To date, Dress for Success has helped more than 500,000 women work towards self-sufficiency.
Niecy Nash attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new office, where she presented Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide, with a red business suit donated from her personal wardrobe. “This is truly a power suit, it’s red and any woman wearing it will walk into an interview or workplace situation feeling confident and diva-fied,” said Nash.
“With the launch of Dress for Success Worldwide – West, we will be able to serve more women and positively influence not only them, but their children as well,” said Ms. Gordon. “The economy has devastated so many families across the country, so we are eager to offer our career development services to disadvantaged women in Los Angeles.”
Niecy Nash presents Dress for Success Worldwide CEO Joi Gordon with a red business suit as a donation to the organization
Dress for Success has more than 100 affiliates in seven countries and has undergone tremendous growth in the past year. As a regional center, Dress for Success Worldwide – West will serve as a model program, developing and sharing best practices, and as a regional hub where affiliates can gather for training and other activities.
“Dress for Success has added eight new affiliates in just the last few months,” Ms. Gordon noted. “This new office will enable Dress for Success Worldwide to provide additional support to our affiliates on the West Coast. Our mission is even more crucial in this economy, and we need to ensure our affiliates have the resources and tools to reach all of the women who need our services.”
Dress for Success Worldwide – West will serve low-income women in Los Angeles County by providing services to help them gain employment and become self-sufficient. The office will also offer support and resources to the organization’s more than 20 local affiliates on the West Coast. Dress for Success anticipates serving over 2,500 women next year in Los Angeles.
“Dress for Success gave me hope when I believed there was none,” said LaTanya Darton, the first woman served by Dress for Success Worldwide – West. “I am very happy to be working again, and I owe it all to Dress for Success.”
Dress for Success is looking for volunteers and donors to support the organization in Los Angeles. Ways to get involved include donating career-appropriate apparel, making a monetary contribution, volunteering as a personal shopper, Career Center counselor or speaker, hosting an event and many more opportunities. Interested individuals and corporations can get more information at www.dressforsuccess.org/worldwidewest
See the related Dress for Success article on Emmys.com
Clean House Host, Niecy Nash Visits with Foster Youth
Six girls from David & Margaret Home for Girls, a residential treatment facility recently visited the set of awarding winning and #1 rated television show for Style Network “Clean House”. The popular one-hour program was taping its yard sale episode in Hesperia to raise money to assist the Hesperia householder, featured in the show scheduled to air in a few weeks. Hundreds of people arrived for the yard sale, which was held in a vacant Block Buster storefront on Main Street.
Niecy Nash received thank you plaque from Lea Cash, Founder, Executive director of The Brightest Star, Inc.
The “Clean House” host Niecy Nash took a break from her taping schedule to empower the girls with words of wisdom and advice about dreaming big and the power of having a dream. Ms. Nash is a celebrity supporter of “The Brightest Star, Inc., which seeks to build dreams and self esteem in children living in foster care.
“When I received the call, that Niecy was coming to the High Desert,” said Lea Cash, executive director of The Brightest Star, Inc. “And she could talk to some kids. I quickly called the staff at David & Margaret, because this would be a wonderful experience for the girls—one they are not likely to ever forget.”
Although, people from all walks of life were trying to get a glimpse or perhaps an autograph from Niecy, the girls who attended ranging in age from 14-16 years-old were her invited guests.
They experienced feeling special having the opportunity to meet and greet Ms. Nash all to themselves up close, intimate and personal. “That the Brightest Star way,” said Cash. “It makes an impact on the self-worth message the celebrity is trying to instill and deliver.”
The girls, though shy at first, asked Ms. Nash questions about her youth, children, and career. They asked questions about Ms. Nash on Comedy Central hit “Reno 911”. Ms. Nash shared information about herself—her dreams, and how she desired to become a movie star, when she was a young girl. She told them of the many obstacles, and challenges in her life that she overcame.
Nash says, “I never gave up. Never give up on your dreams.” One youth started to cry, Nash moves her closer to her, and they held hands.
The youth explains to Nash, how she felt about being there with her, seeing her on television, and wishing someday that she wanted to meet her.
“You are really so down to earth and I love you,” said the youth. She continued, “Thank you for taking the time to talk with us. It really means a lot.”
In Riverside and San Bernardino Counties there are over 10,000 children living in foster care. Children in need of hope and empowerment to never give up on their dreams, to set attainable goals that they can reach without feeling defeated towards the mountain like obstacles and challenges they face as youth in the foster care system.
