July 2022
Executive Director's Message
Message from the Board Chair
Welcome Intern, Samantha Gayle
Client Spotlight
Mary Hart Farewell Event Recap
Teacher Appreciation Event
Other Ways to Support Us
Greetings Our Dear Friends and Supporters,

I just completed my first sixty days and had an opportunity to witness a client come in for career coaching, a mock interview, and an outfit to wear for her interview. I witnessed her come back the next week for her first week of clothing after landing a job at Bank of America. She was so excited and so was I. It was very rewarding to see her pick out five outfits to start her new job. I want to start this message off by saying, Thank You!!

Yes, I want to give a special thank you to our donors, funders, volunteers, and staff. I appreciate the support from each of you and want you to know that without you the success of this organization would not be possible. It is truly a privilege for me to lead this purpose-driven organization and to have such an awesome team of board members, staff, volunteers, and supporters.

I know we are all unified around the goal of empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. What each of you do as volunteers, staff, donors, and funders is unique. You give unselfishly of your time, talent, funding, and resources to Dress for Success which helps us to give back to the community, and that makes you very special.

It's summer already which is indisputably the most beloved season. A time for reunions, spending more time with the family, soaking up the sun on the beach, vacationing, and barbecuing. It’s also the perfect time for Dress for Success to meet with funders, restock its boutique, purge items, help our clients get back to work, pamper and show our appreciation to our teachers who have not had an easy time during this pandemic. Sadly, the economy is still at a record low, gas prices have surged, violence has increased, travel has become chaotic, and homelessness is at a record high. But our funders, volunteers, staff, and donors have remained faithful, steady, and supportive, and for this I am so grateful. Summer is also a time for us to plan our programs for the next six months.

We will host our 2nd annual Teacher Appreciation Week on July 26th, 29th, 30th and August 2nd and 5th in Palm Springs, and July 25th, 27th and August 1st and 3rd in Belle Glade We will “graduate” our latest class of Road to Success on July 28th and resume the next one beginning October 10th, at the Palm Springs Boutique with a new monthlong format meeting twice a week. We will also continue our monthly Professional Women’s Group (PWG) which is held every 2nd Saturday of the month, and we will end the year with our Fall Shop for Success Pop-up Sale, September 29th through October 2nd, and our Lunch & Learn “Meet New Executive Director” November 9th. Please save these dates.

Last week our governor announced that Florida businesses continue to have robust employment opportunities; Florida’s economic indicators have continued a positive trajectory and are surpassing pre-pandemic rates.

This is good news for Dress for Success Palm Beaches because it means that our services are needed even more for clients returning to the workforce and in need of resume writing, mock interviews, career coaching, suiting for interviews, and ultimately suitings for a full week of work.

Together we are making a difference in the community, and together we can accomplish so much more.

Edward E. Hale, abolitionist and clergyman once said that the word “Together – is one of the most inspiring words in the English language. Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

I am proud and inspired by the way Dress for Success Palm Beaches and its supporters have come together with a caring heart during these challenging times.

Thank you for your enormous contributions. Let’s continue to work together.

Joe Ann Fletcher
Executive Director
We are pleased to announce three new Board members who will assist in providing leadership, and overall guidance and direction, in the programming and strategic efforts of Dress for Success Palm Beaches. Bringing a passion for serving women, along with diverse and extensive experience, the new Board Members share in Dress for Success Palm Beaches mission to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.

Please join me in welcoming Brittany, Angela and Tammy!
New Board Members
Brittany Perkins Castillo
Brittany Perkins Castillo is the Chief Executive Officer at AshBritt As CEO, Brittany has led operations following major hurricanes, the 2017 California wildfires, and the COVID-19 pandemic. She holds a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from Vanderbilt University. She is the Vice Chair of the Pace Center for Girls Board of Trustees and a member of the board of directors of the AshBritt Foundation and 4Girls Foundation.
Angela Ledford
Angela is a former news anchor and reporter turned public relations professional, working in the Marketing & Communications department of Florida Power & Light Company. In her current role, she supports outreach for Manatee Lagoon – An FPL Eco-Discovery Center, and she passionately advocates for the facility’s mission of educating the public about manatees and the Lake Worth Lagoon.
Tammy Jackson Moore
Tammy is the co-founder of Guardians of the Glades and is a member of several boards and committees that address the needs of her community. She holds a degree in Public Administration, with a concentration in Business Management from Barry University and brings years of professional experience in the nonprofit arena, state government, as well as municipal administration.
Mary Hart Farewell Event Recap
Thank you to everyone who attended Mary Hart's farewell event fundraiser. We gathered at The National Croquet Center to express our gratitude and say our farewells to former Executive Director, Mary Hart.

Highlights included Joe Ann's touching poem that she read to Mary and the Board's very special gift to Mary - the Mary G. Hart Scholarship for Women fund.

We also raised much needed funds to continue our work.

Below are some photos of the event.
Help Ensure Our Future by Becoming a
Member of the Circle of Impact
Our Circle of Impact is a select group of current and former business leaders who have pledged an annual minimum donation of $1,000. Members are acknowledged for their generosity, their names appearing on a distinctive plaque at our headquarters, plus they enjoy several exclusive perks throughout the year. View our flyer here for more information or to donate, please visit our website.
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Shop AmazonSmile and Support Us
When you shop on AmazonSmile. a portion of your proceeds will be donated directly to our Dress for Success Palm Beaches affiliate. AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, its foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Click here to shop.

Amazon Wish List - Help Our New Belle Glade Location
Please shop our Amazon wish list to help purchase items needed for our new Belle Glade location! Shop here
Company Matching Grants
Many organizations offer a company match program for donations made by their employees to nonprofit organizations, and some even offer volunteer grants. If your employer offers such programs, please consider requesting a donation to Dress for Success Palm Beaches.

Charitable Bequest
Leave a legacy! Please consider adding a charitable bequest to our organization to your will. Be sure to designate our organization by our full name: Dress for Success Palm Beaches.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS PALM BEACHES INC IS A 501(C)3. FL SOLICITATION #CH34892A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-HELPFLA, OR VIA THE INTERNET AT WWW.800HELPFLA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.
DRESS FOR SUCCESS PALM BEACHES