Frequently Asked Questions
Where can we donate clothing?
Donations are accepted at the Store (1532 B NE 37th, Portland, OR), at suit drives or special events.
Donation Hours are:
Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
1st Saturday of the month 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
3rd Saturday of the month 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
How long has Dress for Success Oregon been in existence?
Dress for Success Oregon was founded in July 1998 by Barb Attridge and Karen Fishel and is part of a growing network of over 100 not-for-profit affiliates known as Dress for Success Worldwide, which serves over 50,000 women annually.
Is Dress for Success Oregon in Portland the only affiliate in Oregon?
Yes. We are the only affiliate in Oregon. The other affiliates on the West Coast include Seattle and Spokane, Washington; San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego, California.
How many clients do you serve?
Since Dress for Success began operating in February of 1999, we have helped to support the work and life goals of more than 10,000 women through our programs of Professional Attire, Career Center and the Professional Women's Group.
How do clients access your services?
Clients must be referred through member agencies when they have a job interview or career fair scheduled. We work with over 150 agencies in the Portland Metro area including job training programs, domestic violence shelters and law enforcement agencies. A full list of member agencies can be found on this website under Programs/Referral Agencies.
What is your job retention program?
Our job retention program is called the Professional Women’s Group. In January of 2001 DFSO launched the Professional Women’s Group (PWG) for our clients who have gained employment. The PWG was created to encourage career building by offering information that will help women unfamiliar with the workplace continue to develop their skills and advance in their jobs. The PWG is a national job-retention program that takes a comprehensive approach to moving low-income women toward self-sufficiency by addressing their social and economic needs in relation to work, home, and community. The PWG has regularly scheduled meetings each month featuring an expert speaker leading a discussion and a networking period. The DFSO Professional Women's Group currently has over 160 members.
Do you accept men’s clothing?
We do not accept men’s clothing.
Is there an organization similar to Dress for Success for men?
There is a national organization called Career Gear that provides a similar service for men. A former DFSO client and current volunteer, Donna Eggemeyer, is working on starting a Career Gear affiliate in the Portland area. What type of donations do you accept?
We accept business and professional attire including, but not limited to: suits, jackets, sweater sets, slacks, skirts, dresses, professional maternity wear, blouses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories (scarves, handbags, jewelry). We need and accept hosiery and undergarments which are new and in sealed packages. We also accept new makeup bags, new makeup as well as new skin care and hair products.
A $10 gift with your donation helps us to process your clothing so we can quickly get the items to the women who need them. Monetary donations also help us buy new undergarments, shoes and plus-size clothing which are always in short supply.
How can someone assign value to their used clothing donation?
There are many on line tools available to estimate value of donations (example: tool used by Turbo Tax). The IRS website also has good information on this topic. A good rule of thumb would be to estimate what you would sell the garments for at a garage sale/thrift/consignment shop. Clothing donors receive a receipt for tax purposes but are responsible for assigning value of the clothing themselves. Dress for Success does not assign clothing value.
Donations are accepted at the Store (1532 B NE 37th, Portland, OR), at suit drives or special events.
Donation Hours are:
Monday - Friday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
1st Saturday of the month 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
3rd Saturday of the month 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
How long has Dress for Success Oregon been in existence?
Dress for Success Oregon was founded in July 1998 by Barb Attridge and Karen Fishel and is part of a growing network of over 100 not-for-profit affiliates known as Dress for Success Worldwide, which serves over 50,000 women annually.
Is Dress for Success Oregon in Portland the only affiliate in Oregon?
Yes. We are the only affiliate in Oregon. The other affiliates on the West Coast include Seattle and Spokane, Washington; San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles and San Diego, California.
How many clients do you serve?
Since Dress for Success began operating in February of 1999, we have helped to support the work and life goals of more than 10,000 women through our programs of Professional Attire, Career Center and the Professional Women's Group.
How do clients access your services?
Clients must be referred through member agencies when they have a job interview or career fair scheduled. We work with over 150 agencies in the Portland Metro area including job training programs, domestic violence shelters and law enforcement agencies. A full list of member agencies can be found on this website under Programs/Referral Agencies.
What is your job retention program?
Our job retention program is called the Professional Women’s Group. In January of 2001 DFSO launched the Professional Women’s Group (PWG) for our clients who have gained employment. The PWG was created to encourage career building by offering information that will help women unfamiliar with the workplace continue to develop their skills and advance in their jobs. The PWG is a national job-retention program that takes a comprehensive approach to moving low-income women toward self-sufficiency by addressing their social and economic needs in relation to work, home, and community. The PWG has regularly scheduled meetings each month featuring an expert speaker leading a discussion and a networking period. The DFSO Professional Women's Group currently has over 160 members.
Do you accept men’s clothing?
We do not accept men’s clothing.
Is there an organization similar to Dress for Success for men?
There is a national organization called Career Gear that provides a similar service for men. A former DFSO client and current volunteer, Donna Eggemeyer, is working on starting a Career Gear affiliate in the Portland area. What type of donations do you accept?
We accept business and professional attire including, but not limited to: suits, jackets, sweater sets, slacks, skirts, dresses, professional maternity wear, blouses, outerwear, shoes, and accessories (scarves, handbags, jewelry). We need and accept hosiery and undergarments which are new and in sealed packages. We also accept new makeup bags, new makeup as well as new skin care and hair products.
A $10 gift with your donation helps us to process your clothing so we can quickly get the items to the women who need them. Monetary donations also help us buy new undergarments, shoes and plus-size clothing which are always in short supply.
How can someone assign value to their used clothing donation?
There are many on line tools available to estimate value of donations (example: tool used by Turbo Tax). The IRS website also has good information on this topic. A good rule of thumb would be to estimate what you would sell the garments for at a garage sale/thrift/consignment shop. Clothing donors receive a receipt for tax purposes but are responsible for assigning value of the clothing themselves. Dress for Success does not assign clothing value.
