Dress for Success
i am a big supporter of this organization. I have donated much of my business clothes and time to this group. they recently appointed a new CEO. Her last 2 messages have been nothing but fear mongering over things that have not happened. I have intentions of reporting her to the main office. Nothing about moving into a new facility. Nothing positive.
Hello Supporters & Friends:
Lately, a few things are keeping me awake at night. Admittedly, I often burn the midnight oil completing a grant submission that’s due or finishing up a report required by a funder. But the worries weighing on me recently and preventing the relief of sweet sleep are ones you may very likely share, as well.
Troubling and unsettling is news that nonprofits might be on the firing line and lose their tax-exempt status. As you know, universities presently are a target, and the possibility that philanthropic organizations might also incur this rollback has bubbled up in legislative discussions. One bullet we’ve managed to dodge but that some of our dearly valued partners like The Lord’s Place, YWCA and H.O.M.E.S. may be hit with is government defunding. In the case of The Lord’s Place, they are in jeopardy of losing as much as $2.7 million or 1/3 of their budget. In its 15-year history DFSPB has not sought any federal funding.
I’m kept up at night by the thoughts of how our clients are coping and managing to persevere when confronted with so many hurdles, hardships and indignities. More than ever before DFSPB must deliver on its promise to be “More Than the Dress.” We are genuinely committed to tapping into every possible resource to assist those women who come to us who are living in their cars... facing eviction...needing transportation…strapped to pay a utility bill. When a client is dealing with these types of issues and is trying to keep her family intact, as well, it’s an added distraction from her job search and our coaching. It’s our obligation to try and help, which is why our Board of Directors, in an act of wisdom and humanity, established a Discretionary Fund. An under-the-radar vestige of the COVID pandemic, it’s a renewing allocation from our general budget to help with urgent emergency needs affecting a client’s well-being. With a committee’s input, we’ve been very judicious in determining recipients, and I’m proud to say it’s benefitted several dozen women who were in absolute dire straits. You can always earmark a donation to this fund, if you choose.
Sleep eludes me when I think about how DFSPB will sustain its fundraising and keep pace with the increasing demand for services and programs. Greater collaboration with other community nonprofits and partners may be one way to meet these challenges. There are more than 8,000 nonprofits in Palm Beach County alone – and we cover Martin and Broward, as well. Although our missions differentiate us, we’re all vying for much of the same funding. Fortunately, DFSPB already has built strong relationships and partnerships with other nonprofits since we do depend on more than 80 social service agencies to refer their clients for our job readiness suitings and coaching programs. But maybe the future is creating “DFS Closets” within shelter organizations…or taking our Road to Success program on the road and seeing clients on their own turf. We’ve begun exploring the possibility of a mobile unit tricked out with clothing options and staffed by a personal shopper/career coach. We’ve been “importing” clients from Broward and Martin counties and are now casting the net for financial support in those communities, as well. We continue to think outside the box – outside the boundaries of the past.
The point is that there’s no rest – or sleep – for the weary and we must keep re-envisioning, reinv
Hello Supporters & Friends:
Lately, a few things are keeping me awake at night. Admittedly, I often burn the midnight oil completing a grant submission that’s due or finishing up a report required by a funder. But the worries weighing on me recently and preventing the relief of sweet sleep are ones you may very likely share, as well.
Troubling and unsettling is news that nonprofits might be on the firing line and lose their tax-exempt status. As you know, universities presently are a target, and the possibility that philanthropic organizations might also incur this rollback has bubbled up in legislative discussions. One bullet we’ve managed to dodge but that some of our dearly valued partners like The Lord’s Place, YWCA and H.O.M.E.S. may be hit with is government defunding. In the case of The Lord’s Place, they are in jeopardy of losing as much as $2.7 million or 1/3 of their budget. In its 15-year history DFSPB has not sought any federal funding.
I’m kept up at night by the thoughts of how our clients are coping and managing to persevere when confronted with so many hurdles, hardships and indignities. More than ever before DFSPB must deliver on its promise to be “More Than the Dress.” We are genuinely committed to tapping into every possible resource to assist those women who come to us who are living in their cars... facing eviction...needing transportation…strapped to pay a utility bill. When a client is dealing with these types of issues and is trying to keep her family intact, as well, it’s an added distraction from her job search and our coaching. It’s our obligation to try and help, which is why our Board of Directors, in an act of wisdom and humanity, established a Discretionary Fund. An under-the-radar vestige of the COVID pandemic, it’s a renewing allocation from our general budget to help with urgent emergency needs affecting a client’s well-being. With a committee’s input, we’ve been very judicious in determining recipients, and I’m proud to say it’s benefitted several dozen women who were in absolute dire straits. You can always earmark a donation to this fund, if you choose.
Sleep eludes me when I think about how DFSPB will sustain its fundraising and keep pace with the increasing demand for services and programs. Greater collaboration with other community nonprofits and partners may be one way to meet these challenges. There are more than 8,000 nonprofits in Palm Beach County alone – and we cover Martin and Broward, as well. Although our missions differentiate us, we’re all vying for much of the same funding. Fortunately, DFSPB already has built strong relationships and partnerships with other nonprofits since we do depend on more than 80 social service agencies to refer their clients for our job readiness suitings and coaching programs. But maybe the future is creating “DFS Closets” within shelter organizations…or taking our Road to Success program on the road and seeing clients on their own turf. We’ve begun exploring the possibility of a mobile unit tricked out with clothing options and staffed by a personal shopper/career coach. We’ve been “importing” clients from Broward and Martin counties and are now casting the net for financial support in those communities, as well. We continue to think outside the box – outside the boundaries of the past.
The point is that there’s no rest – or sleep – for the weary and we must keep re-envisioning, reinv
61-69, F
