4.17.2007

What $5,000 and a smart woman with a heart can do.

I was recently asked to design the first ever annual report for the local Dress for Success chapter. I have been looking for a non-profit that supports single mothers and, wow, it turns out this organization does an outstanding job. The organization was started in 1996 by Nancy Lublin with $5,000 from an inheritance from her great-grandfather. In honor of him, she used the money to help others create new beginnings.


She was a law student at the time and new to New York, so she consulted three nuns from Spanish Harlem who ran public service programs. Together they created Dress for Success New York.

Today, th
is non-profit organization reaches women in 78 cities across the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and New Zealand.

As the disparity between rich and poor continues to grow in the United States, this organization has been successful in collaborating with other agencies to assist women in poverty (100% of participants) and single mothers which account for 85%. Years ago I worked in a treatment center for abused and neglected children and was terribly saddened by their stories. I really do believe Hillary Clinton was right when she said "it takes a village to raise a child." By supporting these women working to get out of poverty, we support their children and our community.

So if you're like me and are interested in helping single mothers or women in your community, check out your local chapter. Something I look forward to doing as a volunteer is helping someone shop for a suite for their first interview. I don't much like shopping but helping someone else shop would be a lot of fun.

Dress for Success


Nancy Lublin is now CEO of Do Something, a non-profit organization that provides inspiration and opportunities for young people to improve their community.
Do Something







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