Suited For Change
Founded in 1992, Suited for Change empowers women by increasing their employment and job retention potential. We are the area's leading nonprofit for women in need of professional attire, mentoring, and job-readiness education. Through these services, we help women achieve financial independence.
All Suited for Change services are available at no cost and by referral to local women in need.
We've served more than 29,000 local women since 1992.
All Suited for Change services are available at no cost and by referral to local women in need.
We've served more than 29,000 local women since 1992.
More About Us
On November 29, 2022, our community will join others worldwide as we come together for 24 hours of giving during #GivingTuesday. And we hope you'll choose to support us this year.At Suited for Change, we are dedicated to equipping women in need with proper attire and job coaching as they secure and sustain professional employment.
As a result of the pandemic, the women we serve are most directly impacted by Covid-19, and more than ever it is vital that we continue this important work in our community, and YOU can be a part of that change.
#GivingTuesday is a global day of generosity where communities come together to give and act locally. It's a day for everyone around the world to stand together and give back in all ways, no matter who or where we are.
With your support, we can continue to serve the women in our community as they embark on their professional journey.
Testimonials
Beyond basic statistics, we are most proud of our achievements as they affect individual clients. JOY'S STORY
Raised in poverty, Joy lives in a homeless shelter with her seven-year-old son. Last Fall, Joy seized an opportunity to turn her life around with an interview at a new hotel. Though she had the necessary skills, she lacked the bare necessities to ace the interview - clothing, and more importantly, confidence - so she came to Suited for Change.
Joy shared that the one-on-one attention from SFC staff and stylists "felt like home," and that it was the best experience she's ever had. "I knew how to interview for my job but Suited for Change made me feel like a real person." She explains that she was "skeptical" when she first arrived, but the volunteer who worked with her during their one-on-one appointment reassured her, telling her to "just be herself." Joy described her appointment with Suited as "filled with love and giving me confidence. I especially liked the personal touch and the pointers about style and fit. I just felt comfortable." With clothing from Suited for Change, she was empowered to see herself as the professional woman she truly is.
With our help, Joy is breaking the cycle of poverty. She got the job and quickly excelled in a management training program at the hotel.
Joy has joined the Suited sisterhood, referring other women to us for assistance and acting as an ambassador for the organization. At a recent workshop, Joy couldn't wait to share with us some incredible news: in fewer than six months of employment - and for the first time in her life - Joy is moving into an apartment. She is leaving behind the struggles of her youth, and turning her dream of financial independence into a reality. We celebrate her incredible accomplishments and are honored to play a role on her journey.
Joy is but one example of the 26,000 incredible women we have served on their journey to self-sufficiency.
YOLANDA'S STORY:
We met Yolanda in December, and she immediately impressed our volunteers and staff. A high school grad, Yolanda began college at a private liberal arts school with plans for the future. But when a family member became ill, Yolanda returned home to care for her relative. Once back in DC, Yolanda found it difficult to leave again.
Yolanda found consistent work, but left the workforce after having her son. His Autism diagnosis further hindered Yolanda from getting back to work.
While unemployed, Yolanda visited clothing closets in DC to prepare for interviews, but wasn't able to find her size, which was discouraging, and prevented her from attending job interviews. Yolanda continued to participate in workforce development programs in the hope of finding an opportunity, and was referred to Suited for Change.
"I was nervous that it was going to be another bad experience," Yolanda explained. "But Suited takes such care to make sure the process is inclusive with all sizes people could need."
Today, Yolanda works as an administrative assistant at So Others Might Eat (SOME) and sits on the DC State Board of Education's Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Task Force, serving as Co-Chair for the Parent Advocate Leaders Group. Yolanda also co-chairs a DC support group for families of children with disabilities, and still finds time to visit us at Suited for Change regularly.
"I come back because the energy of Suited makes you so excited about the new change in your life and the possibility of change. The care you get and the personalized shopping experience doesn't feel like you're there because of TANF or a program you're in."
"Suited allowed me to break down the barrier of being judged by appearance. Suited for Change is at the heart of everything I've accomplished."
We love Yolanda and are so proud to have her in the Suited family.