Dress For Success Central NJ - Masterclass in Confidence

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – On Monday, August 26th 2019, Dress for Success Central NJ – 7 Counties (DFSCNJ) held a retreat at David J. Witchell Salon and Spa in Lahaska, Pennsylvania. This collaboration between DFSCNJ CEO, Melissa Tenzer, David Witchell, salon owner, and Michaela Murphy, Director of Education at the Buck’s County Playhouse, provided DFSCNJ clients with an evening of pampering, followed by an interactive workshop. Salon stylists volunteered their time and provided free hair and makeup services and products to clients. To close out this transformative evening, Michaela Murphy presented a seminar about confidence and self-worth through the eyes of a creative professional. NBC Universal Telemundo was also in attendance, presenting DFSCNJ with a $40,000 check for a grant awarded through their Project Innovation program. Project Innovation recognizes non-profits that are pioneering programs to advance communities in the areas of storytelling, community engagement, cultures of inclusion, and youth education.

Dress for Success Central NJ addresses a critical, unmet need by taking a holistic approach to connecting disadvantaged women to employment. Clients are often survivors of social issues including homelessness, domestic violence, and economic challenges. Dress for Success provides women with a network of support and the tools to help them thrive in life and in a professional work environment. The goal of this event was to harness the confidence each woman has learned through DFSCNJ programs and allow it to inspire their transformations both inside and out.

“Our clients looked polished, confident, and ready for their next phase in life. As much as the women participating were inspired by the event, those of us who ran the retreat were equally as inspired by the women and their courage.” stated Melissa Tenzer, CEO, DFSCNJ.

Perhaps the most remarkable part of the experience was the complete change in each client’s disposition. Upon their arrival, the women were extremely reserved: they kept to themselves and were visibly anxious to be out of their safe environment. Through Melissa’s guidance, David’s team, and Michaela’s seminar, the women were completely transformed. In addition to the visual impact of their makeovers, each client stood a little taller, smiled a little brighter, and spoke openly with a renewed sense of self.

Vickie Kamath, DFSCNJ client and attendee, reflected on the evening, “I really appreciated being able to attend the workshop for confidence building. It was truly an amazing experience! Thank you to everyone for organizing the event and giving their time and expert professional services to help better a woman's self-image and being, myself included.”

The staff at David J. Witchell Salon and Spa were happy to volunteer their expertise to the well-deserving group. Listening to each story and personal struggle truly put into perspective the immense impact and effect the evening held for each woman.

Salon owner, David Witchell, raved about the experience, “Galina and I are so proud of our staff for the incredible work and donation of their time to help these fantastic women. Watching them transform and experience being cared for by our staff was heartwarming and inspiring.”

The mission of Dress for Success Central New Jersey is to promote the economic independence of women by providing professional attire, a network of support, and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. DFSCNJ offers an innovative continuum of job-readiness programs that facilitate strategic partnerships with social service agencies to offer women an all-inclusive approach to becoming self-sufficient. The eight-option model includes the Designing Your Future mentorship program, Latina Empowerment program, Professional Women’s Group, Youth Initiative, Financial Literacy program, Customer Service Excellence program, Mobile program, Career Center Services and the Image Enhancement Boutique.

When asked about the impact of the programs and services offered by DFSCNJ, Melissa Tenzer, CEO, said, “Dress for Success is teaching the next generation of leaders what they can do to make a difference. We will always be there to support our clients and we will always meet you where you are. Women are sometimes not supportive of each other and this organization is all about the civic responsibility of never leaving another woman behind.”

Through funding, corporate support, community partnership, and the spirit of collaboration, Dress for Success Central New Jersey is able to continue changing the lives of women. DFSCNJ CEO, Melissa Tenzer, would like to acknowledge David and Galina Witchell and the staff of David J. Witchell Salon and Spa, the Bucks County Playhouse, Peddler’s Village, Danna Bree Markulin and FresCafe, Julie Dassaro Photography, and Spiezle for their support and assistance with the Masterclass in Confidence event. To learn more about DFSCNJ visit https://centralnj.dressforsuccess.org/. You can also follow DFSCNJ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

About Dress for Success Central New Jersey

Dress for Success Central New Jersey is dedicated to empowering 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. The organization provides job readiness, educational, career mentoring and image enhancement programs that support clients through every stage of their employment journey – from pre-employment needs to professional development. Since opening its doors in 2007, DFSCNJ has served 8,000 women and girls.