_ My name is Paula and I am a client of Dress for Success Oregon.  I want to share my story—in my own words--with you. I hope it inspires and touches all hearts that it may apply to, telling it strengthens my own personal journey. I won’t go into all the details of my life, but I will give you a brief background of my road of self-destruction.  From what I can remember my childhood was okay up until the age of four, it was at that time I was sexually abused by my mom’s (third) husband and his best friend.

The abuse would go on for years until my mom met another man who told her he hated kids and that it was either him or me. At 11 years old my mom marched me down to DHS and gave me away. 

I was put into the system and passed around to various group and foster homes. Without any positive parental guidance, I was out of control and on the streets of Seattle doing everything from drugs to prostitution and constantly going in and out of jail.

In June of 2008 I got the wake-up call I needed, I was pregnant. I decided things had to change. I moved to Portland to remove myself from the influences and enablers of my past life and went into a long term treatment program. I finally found peace with myself and was able to address the issues that took me into a world of destruction. 

Through the Steps to Success program I was referred to Dress for Success Oregon in October of 2010 to help me make the transition into the workforce. Dress for Success gave me hope and support, and most of all, they gave me a chance.   In fact, I got one of the very few internships at Dress for Success Oregon.  For the last year, I have worked with this incredible group of women and learned job skills and professional habits-- and I have been able to show them that I am responsible and ready for work. 

In the fall of 2011, I joined Dress for Success’s Going Places Network an intense job preparation program. I learned how to look for a job and address my past with potential employers. With their support, I just got a job!  

I have grown so much here. Dress for Success Oregon gives women power and control over their lives. I have never felt so good about myself and who I am.  Today my son and I live in our own apartment and, for the first time, I feel positive about our future…I know I will never go on public assistance again!
 
I am proud to tell people that I am a part of Dress for Success and everything they stand for. I am asking you to make Dress for Success Oregon one of the organizations that you help this year. Every day this amazing organization is helping women like me get out of poverty and stand on our own. With your support they can continue to grow to address the overwhelming need in Oregon and SW Washington.
 
I hope this story opens your heart because nobody can do this alone and I am so very appreciative that someone took the time to help me.  My life—and my son’s life—are forever changed.

With gratitude,
Paula L’Heureux
Dress for Success Oregon Client – 2010 to present
    

Sonja’s journey as a single mom started abruptly almost 4 years ago. Two weeks before Christmas, her husband was sentenced to 90 days in jail for consecutive DUI’s.  She was a stay at home mom with no income, homeschooling her two oldest children and caring for twin toddlers.  Sonja found her only alternative was to go on public assistance.  She applied for a displaced homemaker’s grant and completed certificate programs in human resources and volunteer management, and for the next 2 years she was able to obtain short term positions and develop skills in project and volunteer management in the nonprofit and public sector.

After completing her Americorps position 6 months ago, Sonja found herself homeless, living on public assistance, and looking for employment.  She had to move to Salem to live with her ex-husband who is an alcoholic.  When school started, she commuted two hours a day and drove her four children from Salem to Portland so they could continue to attend the same school.  During school hours Sonja spent all day applying for any available position at the Employment Department.  Most nights she would not reach Salem until 6:30 or later and there she would find her ex-husband drinking.  When he became emotionally abusive, Sonja would tell herself that she had to endure it so that they could have a roof over their heads.
 
The commute became exhausting and a couple of times she felt herself nodding off at the wheel. One day, another mom who sympathized with her situation, offered her day care center as a place for Sonja and the kids to stay during the week.  It was right down the street from the school.  Then she handed Sonja the keys and told her to consider the place her own until she could find another place to live.  Sonja began to feel some hope.  Soon after, the Homeless Education Case Manager with Portland Public Schools listened to her story and helped Sonja get a referral to Dress for Success Oregon.

Sonja had an important interview coming up with OHSU and found a beautiful suit at Dress for Success.  She felt wonderful after working with her personal shopper, confident she could get this job.  She went to both a second and third interview, feeling self-assured and professional.  It was nearly three weeks later that she accepted the position of Project Coordinator with the Center on Self-Determination!  Since November,  Sonja has been attending the monthly Professional Women’s Group meetings, where she receives continued support and training from Dress for Success Oregon.

 “As a direct result of Dress for Success assisting me in preparing for my interview, I have obtained a position that will change my life and those of my four children. The position provides security, benefits, vacation time and the opportunity to advance my education.  I can stand on my own two feet and care for my family. The negative, ugly words that I have heard from my ex are now a faint whisper.”

Olga, the mother of three, relocated to Portland with her family in June of 2009. Olga was excited about moving here until she arrived and found that it was hard to get a job.  She had no other choice but to turn to public assistance.  As Olga began her job search, she enrolled in the Steps to Success program which eventually referred her to Dress for Success Oregon.  From her initial appointment on, Olga felt important whenever she was greeted with the friendly smiles from the staff and volunteers at Dress for Success Oregon.

At her appointment, Olga chose a fabulous black suit – it fit her perfectly and she felt like a true professional. Olga went to her first interview wearing her new suit and got the job on the spot.  However, after being employed for only 4 months, she was laid off.  At this point, she didn’t want to apply for public assistance again and was able to find several temp assignments that kept her going.  Just when she thought she might never find that permanent position, Olga put her lucky suit on one more time and landed a full time, well-paying job with a benefit package.  Olga believes her success came from the support she received at Dress for Success Oregon and in the Professional Women’s Group.  Joining the Professional Women’s Group has given her confidence, positive support and has provided resources for her continued career growth.

 “I’m very appreciative of Dress for Success providing me with a positive environment in which to continue to learn and grow professionally.”

Growing up Emily had very low self-esteem and felt unworthy of love.  At the age of 13 she sought the Internet as a way to get attention and shortly after that became a victim of an Internet predator.  Emily blamed herself for what happened and began giving her body away to random men that she never heard from again.

At 16, Emily received her high school diploma through home school and enrolled in beauty school.  Shortly after graduating she moved out.  At 19 her husband abandoned her and she quickly became addicted to Meth. By the age of 20, Emily was homeless, involved in criminal activity and prostitution.  After hitting rock bottom at 23, she chose to enroll in a life change recovery program called Shepherd's Door and graduated from the program in 2010.

Emily came to Dress for Success in 2009.  The professional clothes gave her a new self-image.  She has been attending the Professional Women’s Group meetings faithfully for a year.  The group has provided support, inspiration and direction in Emily’s life.  She is close to celebrating her one year anniversary at Ruby Receptionists.  At Ruby, she is now training new hires and handling the break schedule.

 “The tools and support I’ve received from Dress for Success have made it possible for me to take on these new responsibilities and build a new career for myself.”

Patricia, a single mother of four, lost her job 2 years ago.  She thought she had reached her lowest point when she was living on her weekly unemployment check, but then the day came when she had exhausted her benefits.  Patricia was forced to rely on public assistance, and even though she was ashamed, she had no choice. There was a time when she had two homes, and now she was faced with either paying her phone bill or putting gas in her car.  She chose the phone, since you need to have a phone in order to look for a job.

Patricia was referred to Dress for Success Oregon, but was reluctant to make the call for her appointment, feeling embarrassed to ask for help.  But when she finally made the call, the encouragement and support she received over the phone helped her to forget about her embarrassment, and she made the appointment for her interview outfit.  When Patricia arrived for her appointment at Dress for Success Oregon she was thrilled to have her own personal shopper help her select her clothing and she left with two sharp looking professional outfits and the confidence to get the job!  Patricia is now working as an office manager and building a new life for herself. She joined the Professional Women’s Group and looks forward to attending the monthly workshops.

 “Dress for Success has taught me some valuable skills. I know I have a support group I can rely on, where we learn and encourage one another.  I want to thank Dress for Success for all they have done to help me rebuild my life.”