[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Pages 11991-11992]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING DRESS FOR SUCCESS LEXINGTON

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor Dress for Success 
Lexington and its Kentucky co-founders, Analisa Wagoner and Jennifer 
Monarch. It was my distinct pleasure to help these women secure 
501(c)(3) nonprofit status from the IRS for their business, and I am 
honored to know that I have played a role, albeit a minor one, in all 
the good that will continue to come of Wagoner and Monarch's venture.
  Dress for Success was founded in New York City in 1997. Since then 
the organization had expanded into 128 cities around the world, 
including locations in Louisville and Lexington, KY.
  As its name suggests, Dress for Success provides gently used, 
professional clothes to disadvantaged women. This is not, however, the 
totality of the organization's services. Looking the part is indeed a 
piece of the equation, but to ensure success they also provide 
counseling and training as their clients navigate the jobs market and 
begin work.
  Jennifer and Analisa opened the doors to Dress for Success Lexington 
over a year ago. In the intervening time, they were inundated with 
enough clothing donations to render their initial location inoperable. 
Theirs is a business model that does not work unless people are willing 
to give. Fortunately, helping others in need is second nature for the 
people of Lexington, KY.
  Last September, Dress for Success Lexington moved into a newer, much 
larger location in the Eastland Shopping Center. And with its newly 
acquired non-profit status, which makes the organization eligible for 
certain grants, donations, and a tax-exempt status, the future looks 
decidedly bright for Dress for Success Lexington.
  Dress for Success Lexington is a model for serving the community. 
They are not just helping people--more importantly they are providing 
the tools and training for women to help themselves, and in turn do the 
same for others.
  Therefore, I ask that my Senate colleagues join me in paying tribute 
to

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these exemplary citizens and Dress for Success Lexington.
  Mr. President, the Lexington Herald-Leader recently published an 
article profiling Analisa Wagoner and Jennifer Monarch, and their work 
with Dress for Success Lexington. I ask unanimous consent that the full 
article be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the article was ordered to be printed in 
the Record as follows:

           [From the Lexington Herald-Leader, Aug. 21, 2013]

  Dress for Success Lexington Has Found a Home, Plans To Open in Late 
                               September

                           (By Merlene Davis)

       I wrote about Analisa Wagoner and Jennifer Monarch in April 
     as they were being overrun by mounds of gently worn clothing.
       They had run out of room for the generous donations from 
     Lexington women who were more than willing to help their less 
     fortunate sisters get on their feet.
       A bit overwhelmed but definitely not discouraged, Wagoner 
     and Monarch had been approved to start a local affiliate of 
     the international Dress for Success program which provides 
     professional attire, a support network and career development 
     tools to help women become economically independent.
       Now I am writing about them because they have secured a 
     permanent home for Dress for Success Lexington in the 
     Eastland Shopping Center. It will open in late September. The 
     non-profit will be the second such program in Kentucky. 
     Louisville's affiliate was established in 2000.
       Wagoner said the new location is getting spruced up and 
     painted, the furnace is being replaced and a dressing room is 
     being added.
       ``We are still in that process,'' she said. ``In the ideal, 
     fingers-crossed time line, we may get the keys by the end of 
     the week.''
       That will be followed by the addition of furniture and 
     clothing racks.
       Meanwhile, the women have scheduled the first of many 
     mandatory orientation and training sessions for volunteers. 
     People are needed in administration, inventory, fundraising, 
     outreach, and technical and graphic areas. Soon, there will 
     be a need for volunteers in the career center to conduct mock 
     interviews, offer job search tips and edit resumes and cover 
     letters. The training session will be held at the Central 
     Library downtown.
       ``That is where we held our start-up meeting in May,'' 
     Wagoner said. ``We have come so far since then. We've come 
     full circle.''
       The sessions are geared to get everyone on the same page, 
     she said. A video provided by the worldwide organization will 
     be shown, featuring Joi Gordon, chief executive officer, who 
     will talk about the program.
       Those in attendance will be able to select their preferred 
     area in which to help.
       The Eastland site has more than 2,000 square feet of space 
     and was the ``last missing piece of the puzzle,'' Monarch 
     said. It will be enough space for organized racks of 
     professional clothing, two dressing rooms, an area with 
     computers, and office space.
       ``With the space, we have everything we need to start 
     helping women, which is our No. 1 and only goal,'' she said.
       Clients are helped through referral only, Wagoner said, and 
     after completing a job training program through a government 
     or social services agency.
       The client then works with a volunteer personal shopper who 
     helps her select appropriate attire and also provides support 
     and encouragement as she prepares for job interviews.
       After landing a job, the client can then return for more 
     clothing and support.
       On Sept. 19, referral agencies will be invited to an open 
     house to learn about the program's mission. But that's not 
     all the events being planned. On Oct. 1, Mayor Jim Gray will 
     be on hand for the official opening.
       And on Oct. 17, local designers, who have been given 
     outfits that aren't suited for the workplace, will show off 
     their skills in a Recycle the Runway fundraiser and fashion 
     show at The Grand Reserve on Manchester Street.
       Wagoner and Monarch are determined to see this program 
     flourish. Considering where they started and where they are 
     now, I wouldn't advise anyone to stand in their way.
       It will be better for us to just get onboard.

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