National nonprofit launches chapter in South Bend; aims to help women enter the workforce

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A Michiana organization that helps women successfully enter the workplace is launching this week.

According to Sherry Klein, Dress for Success Michiana’s acting executive director, women make up 49 percent of the workforce in our area.

Dress for Success Michiana wants to increase that number and help unemployed and underemployed women with a hand up.

The nonprofit organization is an affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide.

They empower women to achieve economic independence by providing support, job development tools, and free professional clothing.

“We’re nervous enough as it is when we’re interviewing, so if we know that what we’re wearing reflects our best professional self we can go into that interview with more self confidence, more self esteem,” said Klein.

Klein started the Michiana chapter after she lost her job of 20 years.

She understands it’s hard to learn or relearn how to interview and present yourself during the job search process.

Klein hopes this organization increases the job retention rate of women in the workforce in Michiana.

“I think as women, how we dress and our outside appearance directly affects how we feel inside and how we feel about ourselves, so being able to eliminate that barrier of what to wear in an interview is really going to help women with their self confidence and feel their absolute best,” said Klein.

The organization is hosting an open house Wednesday, June 5 from 3-6 p.m. at its headquarters at Ignition Park in South Bend.

They’re also looking for volunteers and clothing donations.

For more information or to get involved, click here.