OFM Dress for Success_0726_DEPT 7 / 9 / 26 4 : 14 PM Page 1 Roberts strives to show women enduring a diffi - cult time that everybody can use a hand at some point in their lives . “ People don’t want to ask for help or they I M P A C T don’t want it to be brought up in public , ” she says . “ But I tell them that I went through the I program myself . I share my background and a piece of my story , and I tell them that it’s OK to need help , and that the help I got changed my life . … I’m happy that I came to Dress for Looking the Part Success . They stuck with me , and now I want to help everybody I can . ” Women in need As inspirational as Roberts ’ story is , she is can get the proper far from alone . The Orlando chapter of Dress professional attire for Success is celebrating its 25th anniversary in and necessary 2026 , and in that time the organization has served 800 to 1,000 local women each year , career skills to thrive helping them get their lives back on track . in the workplace Joann Febus , who started volunteering with with the help of Dress for Success almost 10 years ago when she Dress for Success moved to Orlando from New York , became Greater Orlando . executive director in 2022 . She still gets moved by seeing the transformational effects that a new by Matt Cosentino wardrobe can have . “ It’s so rewarding to see someone’s confi - dence immediately increase , ” Febus says . “ I’ve spoken to people who are frustrated and upset the moment they walk in , and I warn the vol - unteers that not everybody is going to be happy , because it is a humbling experience going some - where to accept used clothing . … But by the time they’re done , we can change their entire attitude and outlook in an hour . “ It’s such a good feeling . Most people want to hug you toward the end and they’re so excited . We ask if we can take pictures , and when they see themselves in the pictures , even they are shocked . ” Most women come to Dress for Success through a social services connection , but some and an overall network of support . As hard as it to believe now after also find it on their own and nobody is turned Still , Roberts was nervous and hesitant to more than a decade of involvement away . Before scheduling a one - on - one appoint - ask for help . Suddenly , the boutique manager — with the organization , Shequila ment in the boutique , they submit all of their a woman named Simone — came out to her car , Roberts never actually wanted to go sizes , and when they come in they receive up to offered some words of encouragement and to Dress for Success Greater Orlando five full outfits , two pairs of shoes , a handbag motivated her to overcome her fear . in the first place . In fact , she clearly and accessories . Makeup and toiletries are occa - “ I was having an emotional moment , ” remembers sitting in her car crying , sionally available as well . Roberts recalls . “ But Simone brought me in , did trying to muster the strength to walk “ You don’t know how many times women my suit fitting , and the whole experience into her initial appointment . have said to me , ‘ If it weren’t for Dress for brought some sunshine to my world . I ended up At the time , she was a single mother raising Success , I wouldn’t be able to accept the job , getting the job , and from then on I vowed to her young son after leaving an unhealthy rela - because I don’t have anything professional to help single moms everywhere . ” tionship , and she was struggling to find a job wear on day one , ’ ” Febus says . “ That alone is She fulfilled that promise by starting her that would allow her to work during the day and shocking to me , that someone could lose an own nonprofit , Determine Now , which aims to be with him on nights and weekends , even opportunity . But then when they actually start bridge the gap between educational systems , though she held two bachelor’s degrees . When the job , they feel confident . A lot of times they’ll communities and families by offering conflict she finally landed an interview for a position send us pictures , like when moms take pictures resolution , assistance to single mothers , support that fit her schedule , she realized she had no pro - of their kids on the first day of school . They do to grandparents who are raising young children fessional attire to wear to the meeting . that on the first day of work and it’s so nice to and lessons about discipline to kids . Roberts also That’s when someone referred her to the see them happy . ” does meditation sessions through Determine local chapter of Dress for Success , an organiza - The women who benefit from the program Now , which she donates monthly to Dress for tion founded in New York in 1997 that has include victims of poverty , human trafficking Success events both virtually and in person . become the leading resource worldwide for and abusive relationships , but Febus points out Whether with her own nonprofit or her advancing women in the workforce by pro - that other common clients are those who are continued connection to Dress for Success , viding gently used clothing , developmental tools returning to work after battling illnesses such as 14 ORLANDO FAMILY august 2026 ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM