Dress For Success Charlotte Moving to Larger Building, Celebrating 25 Years

Dress for Success Charlotte will move into a new building before the year ends. The group needs more space. Women across the region want help finding economic independence, and the old location couldn't keep up. The new spot at 2128 Remount Road spans 12,466 square feet.

More women need help with jobs, coaching, and work clothes than ever before. Staff members say the bigger building means they can run additional workshops. They'll build stronger ties with companies. Job seekers will get better access to what they need.

Since opening 25 years ago, the group has helped over 13,000 women in Charlotte. This year they supported 677 clients.

What does Dress for Success Charlotte do? They offer one-on-one coaching for jobs. Training sessions teach work readiness. Classes cover money management. Programs build workforce skills. The expanded facility gives staff room to do more — coaching sessions, training workshops, and sorting through donations all need space.

Executive Director Dr. Emily Wheeler shared that 80% of clients earn low wages. Single mothers made up at least 66% of those they served.

Basic costs keep climbing while paychecks stay flat. Women can't keep pace. "Housing, transportation, healthcare, food to raise children — basic needs — continue to rise," Wheeler said, per Axios. "Cost to live here is going up, but wages aren't increasing enough to support women in keeping up. Women are already starting several steps behind."

Wheeler noticed something else. Women come back. They return for more help than before. Over five years, repeat visits jumped 375 percent.

The first six months of 2024 saw demand spike another 50% compared with 2023.

The group wants donations and volunteers too. They're looking for companies willing to partner as they hire more staff next year. Plans include expanding job-pipeline programs and reaching women in Gaston and Cabarrus counties.