SUCCESS IN STYLE

As a pandemic crisis job seeker, I went to SiS feeling drained, unmotivated, and not sure what to expect. To my utter dismay, I was completely blown away by the courteous and professional experience. Julie took such great care with me and after several fittings, I left with a smashing interview suit, several outfits and most importantly, with a revitalized sense of beauty and renewed work-ready confidence!

I am a volunteer for Success in Style. I am there between 1 to 3 times a week and I find it so rewarding. The non-profit is for such a worthy cause. We help so many men and women get back into the workforce. Feeling good about what you are wearing is very important for job interviews.

I have been a volunteer at SIS for about 8 years. I heard about SIS, and new I had to become involved. And after my first few trainings with them, and meeting Jeannette Kendall, the founder, and learning more about their mission, I was sold. Helping men and women getting back on their feet, providing them with clothing and accessories to help them make that first impression, and than with all the extra donations, opening up Charities Closet and Phil's Closet to make it easy and affordable for people to shop, it's amazing. Than the idea of second hand wedding dresses came to fruition with opening Cheri Amore. A beautiful bridal boutique. We are all volunteers who love the mission and enjoy volunteering at SIS. It's a great group of retirees, grandmothers, Students, and people like me, who where looking to give back. With the help of her daughters Sara and Marie, and volunteers, Jeanette has something special here. I am, as of 2 yrs ago, the Volunteer Coordinator. With COVID, we have had a rough time, as we all have. Understandably our volunteers aren't ready to come back 100%. But SIS is powering through. A little plug here, if you're interested in volunteering, please check out our website.

I had a bridal gown appointment with the consultant Ava at Cherie Amour. She was such a pleasure to work with and made an overwhelming task so fun! She picked great options for me to try that aligned with my style, and also pulled some options that I would not have thought worked but looked great!

I bought my wedding dress from Cherie Amour, and had an absolutely wonderful experience. Normal bridal boutiques cater more to the wedding trends, but I immediately found gowns at Cherie Amour that were timeless and classic. Not to mention they were much more unique and eye catching (this is my own opinion, of course). I found the perfect dress for only $750. I can’t imagine what I would’ve spent at a normal shop. I highly recommend Cherie Amour to anyone looking for a unique wedding dress for half the price or less.

I have volunteered for Success In Style (SIS) for 2 1/2 years. As a volunteer In various capacities of operating this non profit, I have noticed several aspects, which make it successful. SIS is COMMITTED to mission. They truly CARE about each component from processing donations to professionally outfitting the clients. SIS is COMMUNITY driven, which assists in consistent support from donating to volunteering. SIS is environmentally CONSCIOUS and promotes sustainability in all aspects of operations. Through the Covid crisis, SIS remains focused on safety as well as attempting to continue mission. SiS is a valuable asset and has been, and will continue to change people's lives by not just providing professional attire, but also promoting a can do attitude.

I have been a SIS volunteer since April 2019 and it has been a wonderful experience so far. The SIS website states 'We don’t just give away clothes, we offer dignity, self-respect and self-worth'. I see that in the faces of SIS clients. It's inspiring and makes me feel fortunate I'm able to play a small part in realizing such a worthwhile mission.

When you volunteer, you can opt to work in the retail stores, process incoming donations or provide client consultations. I prefer to work in the retail stores. I get to interact with so many interesting people. Sometimes I get to be a stylist and help someone find the perfect outfit! It's a great feeling when I'm able to do that.

The founder, Jeannette Kendall, and her staff are the best! They are helpful, supportive and appreciative of all the volunteers and the work we do. I am proud to be associated with SIS and hope to contribute for many years to come.

I am a volunteer consultant at the Potomac Job Corps in Washington, DC, and have been in awe since the Job Corps students there built their own Success In Style studio, crafting special equipment, putting in the necessary electrical connections, installing dry wall, painting, and a adding new air conditioning unit. The results were spectacular, and even now (three years later), students peek in, jaw agape and eyes wide with delight, as they exclaim how beautiful the space is. It has become a bit of a retreat away from the work boots and grime, computers and mounds of paper of every day life on campus, as they step into this elegant space they know was designed just for them. In this studio, newly graduating students are transformed into professionals, thrilled to be immersed in our environment, and by the time we take photos of them in their career apparel (usually suits, sometimes trousers and sport coats; also socks, shoes, belts, and t-shirts/underwear) they are smiling, high fiving each other, and giggling about how much they feel transformed. One student in particular came in with an exceptionally sour demeanor (which is not very common because - in the every least - they are glad to be graduating) and regarded me with suspicion. He dragged himself over to the suit rack, complaining about how ties constrain him (he didn’t know how to tie one) and he argued with me over changing out his shoes. Very slowly, his eyes picked up that twinkle, wondering about how he might look with a few new things, and he cooperated by going into the dressing room with my suggestions. After well over an hour of what could be called negotiations, he came out to check himself in the mirror. “Wow!” he exclaimed. “I look gooooood!” He straightened his tie, pushed his hand through his hair, and pulled out the cell phone. The selfies commenced and he thanked me profusely. When things quieted down, his eyes welled up and he gave me a big hug. He said, “I really need this stuff! Thank you!” I found out later that he’d lost his mom, had no real home, and had been floundering for months on campus. I think I cried on the way home that day (but that wouldn’t have been the first time.)

Success in Style (SIS) is a wonderful non-profit organization, which helps and empowers people on many different levels. I have been a volunteer with SIS since November 2017 and I have loved every minute of it! Helping diverse people from all walks of life and embracing this remarkable community has been very rewarding to me. I also would like to commend the integrity, generosity and compassion with which the volunteers, clients and customers are treated. I'm honored to volunteer alongside such great people and I have also benefited greatly in my own personal growth. A fantastically thought out program all around!

I have worked as a volunteer for this organization for over 18 months and have had the opportunity to work with clients and in the store. Within an hour, I have helped clients develop a sense of confidence by giving them some basic interview skills and appropriate clothing. I also gain personal satisfaction working with others sorting and selling merchandise in our retail operation. I even have some regular customers who let me guide their shopping experiences.

Volunteering for Success in Style is like joining a community. There is a core group of volunteers who truly care about finding your potential. This organization helps clients of course and that is their goal, but they also have another side just as important and that is their volunteers. You can find your niche in the organization whether it be getting in the zone tagging clothes, being on the floor talking to customers, or working with clients. There is so much to do and it's fun! We have even stayed late and it was just a bunch of us girls laughing having a blast taking care of business by organizing and sorting clothes. And as a bonus you get one free article of clothing after working a shift... Must be why I have so many jeans.