Dress for Success does not presently have an affiliate in Bakersfield.  However, because there are many women in the area who could benefit from our suiting and career development programs, the Worldwide office has designated Bakersfield a priority with regard to our growth in California.  We are a grassroots organization and therefore are looking for people within the community with the passion, dedication and energy to establish and operate an affiliate.  

Starting a Dress for Success is an ideal opportunity for motivated and inspired individuals—either working alone or collaborating as a group—to have a positive impact on both their community and on the lives of women seeking economic independence, fulfilling careers and brighter futures for themselves, their families and their children.  Dress for Success has an excellent international reputation as an organization that provides professional apparel to women.  But we view the suits that we hand out as much more than simpy clothing—we see each one as a symbol of our faith in every woman's ability to succeed.  

However, building a non-profit from the ground up can be a challenging and intimidating prospect.  But the rewards of supporting newly-confident women as they pursue their dreams—and thrive in work and in life—are immediate, lasting and immeasurable.  

For more information on the start-up process and the benefits of being a member of Dress for Success, please visit our section on starting an affiliate.  You also can request an application to open an affiliate by sending an e-mail to startup@dressforsuccess.org.  General questions can be directed to us at worldwide@dressforsuccess.org. 

Unfortunately, because we do not have a program in Bakersfield at this time, we cannot accept donations of clothing or provide assistance to women in need of professional attire and other career development services.  The application described above is to open an affiliate, not to receive services.

Although Dress for Success does not have an affiliate in Bakersfield right now, we have locations in California serving the following cities:  Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose.  Please visit their Web sites for more information about their programs and to learn how you can support these organizations with a financial contribution or by donating clothing.  We also are hoping to open affiliates in Riverside, Sacramento and Fresno.  If you or someone you know is interested in helping us bring Dress for Success to one of these cities, please click on the links above to learn more.

If you would like to sign up for our e-mail list—for copies of our newsletter and updates about new locations—click here.

Thanks for your interest in Dress for Success.  We hope that will we soon be able to help the women of Bakersfield thrive in work and in life.