Editor’s note: Jahkazia wrote this reflection about her first month serving at Dress for Success, a non-profit that empowers women to become confident and self-sufficient by providing career services and interview attire.
Being at Dress for Success so far has been the toughest but most rewarding parts of this year so far. While being at Dress for Success, at least for the first week, I thought that it would be “rainbows and butterflies.” I believed that nothing would ever go wrong. I believed that I would be perfect. I was so wrong. This month has bought new challenges, experiences, and understanding.
Compassion is one of the values I have had to use heavily this month. In serving the clients that we serve sometimes it gets very frustrating. These women do not have DFS as their first priority. They have children, school, social security, bills, work, etc. I learned this month that these women are not going to be perfect. I cannot expect so much out of them when they have so much on their plate.
Collaboration is the second value that I used this month. My supervisor told me that because of all of my calls, last month was the most clients seen in a single month. I do not credit this to just myself but our ability to collaborate. Everyone is important in the process—there are image coaches, career coaches, and other volunteers who make it possible for all of the women to be seen. In addition, we were given the goal of 50 new clients a week which has been very challenging when we are only open 3 days a week; however, with hard work, I know it can get done!
–Jahkazia Richardson is serving at Dress for Success this year and loves to cook good food that nourishes body and soul.
