Local Organizations Band Together to Empower Women Entering the Workforce

Tulsa, Okla., (January 3, 2018) – Dress for Success Tulsa presents “Beyond the Suit” a two-week Empowerment Camp for women who have been recently released from prison. Community HigherEd, Spherion Staffing, and Educare will all be participating in this event that is dedicated to empowering women to achieve economic independence. QuikTrip will be providing lunch at the event. The event will be held on January 9th-11th and16th-18th from 9:00 am-3:30 pm.

“Beyond the Suit is our Mission in action, which is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. This camp is designed to polish not only the outside but equip these women with all the tools necessary to secure that position and help break the cycle of poverty,” says Jeanette North, Executive Director of Dress for Success Tulsa.

Twelve women will be participating in this first of its kind program. These women are also currently enrolled in the Educare program and are transitioning to the workforce.  Educare is a Tulsa organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through effective early childhood development for the most at-risk children. This includes supporting and educating the parents of these children.

Caren Calhoun, Executive Director, said about this event, “Tulsa Educare is excited to partner with Dress for Success. This partnership will allow us to support the parent as an adult while empowering them with the skills needed to find a career to break the cycle of poverty.”

During the empowerment camp, instructors and staff from Community HigherEd, Spherion Staffing, and Dress For Success will lead workshops on important topics that will prepare women for the workforce. In these workshops, women will learn how to create a resume, perfect interviewing skills, understand personal branding and how to dress professionally. After Beyond the Suit, participants will attend monthly Professional Women’s Groups workshops that are presented by these community partners and will address topics like workplace etiquette, health and wellness, leadership, and financial literacy.

“Community HigherEd has always prided itself on making a positive difference in Tulsa and extending its CARES culture outside its own walls. This is an amazing opportunity for these women to learn life skills that will benefit them throughout their lives,” shared Moriah Lamb.

Spherion Staffing will be helping the women prepare to enter the workforce by sharpening their interviewing skills and providing resume assistance. “Spherion Staffing is thrilled to be a founding partner of the 2018 Beyond the Suit event! Our Tulsa team shares in the Dress for Success vision of confidently preparing local women to achieve economic independence. We look forward to sharing our expertise in career development, resume writing, and interviewing skills to help set these ladies up for success as they prepare to enter the Tulsa area workforce,” said Ali Whitaker, Owner of Spherion Staffing Tulsa.

CommunityHigherEd, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation with the mission to advance the purpose of Community Care College, Clary Sage College, and Oklahoma Technical College through active engagement, advocacy, fundraising, and stewardship.