Comments (1)

By Melanie, October 27, 2009 10:59 am

I recently had the pleasure of visiting San Antonio’s local branch of Dress for Success, a nationwide non-profit organization. I had heard of the program prior to the visit, but was not fully aware of just how much this organization does to assist women in need. My heart goes out to this wonderful cause.

The mission of Dress for Success is to provide interview suiting and attire coupled with career training and support to women who are struggling to support themselves and their families. The way in which this mission is achieved is truly remarkable.

Dress for Success receives recommendations from other non-profit organizations with which they are affiliated, including local homeless and battered women’s shelters. Each with a different story, the women who enter the Dress for Success program all have one thing in common – they are all striving to overcome difficult, and often heartbreaking, life situations.

Through the Dress for Success career center, each woman is not only provided clothing and training, but most importantly, she is given the encouragement to believe in herself and her ability to be strong and independent. I can’t express enough the importance of supporting and encouraging those around us, especially those who truly need it most.

Business suiting is an essential donation, but there are three items for which the need is great: purses, pearls and pumps. While each interviewee is gifted a pair of pearl earrings and necklace for her big day, what good is an outfit without a confident handbag and pair of pumps?

I therefore challenge all of you ladies (and gentlemen) out there to search your closets and pocketbooks. While acquiring and maintaining a job is a fabulous thing, the confidence and self-worth that comes along with the ability to do so is irreplaceable.

You can locate your local Dress for Success through their website to read about all of the wonderful success stories made possible by this phenomenal organization.

For all of you ladies in South Central Texas, the Plaza Club is hosting a bridal soiree for you and yours. Jim Hjelm bridal gown designer Francesa Pitera will be there along with Maihar Design. What’s more, the proceeds will benefit Dress for Success.

Comments (2)

By Melanie, May 13, 2009 9:38 am

I find that so often it is the simplest things in life that are easily taken for granted.

In addition to my designs with Maihar Design, I work in the Interior Design business at Baxter Design Group where I spend five days a week (and often more) picking fabrics, furnishings and accessories to complete and “make beautiful” various environments in hopes of giving clients their ideal “home.” In other words, a place where people feel safe, encouraged and comfortable at the end of the day, surrounded by the things that make them happy.

About a year and a half ago, BDG was provided with the opportunity to create a space for a group of individuals who need this comfort the most; individuals who do not have the blessing of their own home.

Along with my BDG co-worker Zoe Reilly, we decided to “adopt and redecorate” several community spaces at the San Antonio residence for homeless families, SAMMinistries Transitional Living and Learning Center (TLLC).

TLLC is an incredible facility that provides shelter and housing for up to 40 families at a time. Families are permitted to stay for two years while receiving afterschool childcare, family healthcare and life skills classes that train and aid in their transition back into an independent lifestyle.

With the ultimate goal of creating warm and inspirational living spaces, we ended up raising more than $60,000 in monetary and in-kind donations and completing five of the many community and family gathering areas. With these generous donations, we were able to add fresh paint, new furnishings, artwork and fabric.

After spending only a small amount of time with the residents and children who live at TLLC, I cannot speak highly enough for their positive outlook. It was an honor to have this opportunity and I am hopeful we were able to provide not only a warm and kind place to land, but also a place in which to smile and call home.

Please visit SAMMinistries website or BDG for more information.

(Below) Living Space #1

(Below) Child Play Therapy Room

(Below) Living Space #2

(Below) Living Space #3/Work Station

(Below) Meditation Room