PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – A clothing sale this weekend could help more Oregonians find jobs. Dress for Success says they’ll use the money to expand programs for women and gender-expansive people wanting to enter the workforce.
With every sale over the next three days, Dress for Success is also getting closer to clearing out part of their northwest Portland building.
The nonprofit plans to flip the stock room next month into a coworking space for women and gender-expansive people trying to get a job.
“Historically, our clients are single moms, DV survivors, people with different ability levels,” said Lindsey Norlander, the executive director. “We know there are other co-working spaces out in the world. But what does it mean for a woman to go into a space that’s made for her and is trauma-informed so that she can be excited for her interview in a corporation … because she’s practiced it in a space that feels safe.”
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Dress for Success isn’t just clearing out space with this sale.
Norlander says they’re also raising money for programs that help people for free.
That includes their store, where clients can shop for professional clothes.
“We get to see every day people find their footing and the economic mobility that comes with when you provide people with resources and support and an education, really they can flourish and thrive,” Norlander said.
Dianne Jones refers her Portland Community College students to the nonprofit.
“It’s like a fresh start,” Jones said.
She says she loves shopping for a cause.
“Because it helps contribute to the purchase of things that they don’t get donated,” Jones said. “Sizes that they never get or personal items like underwear that people need but they don’t want donations for. So, it’s very vital to keeping the program alive.”
The official sale ends Saturday night, but Norlander said shoppers who spend more than $40 can come back Sunday for a $3 blowout sale.
They have women’s clothing ranging from designer items to athleisure.
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