BILLINGS – Wednesday was a milestone moment for the Billings Dress for Success.
The nonprofit unveiled a place for women to gain computer and workforce skills at a new career center located at 2824 3rd Ave. N. in Billings.
The Dress for Success career center held a community open house 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday night, giving people a chance to take a look at the new workstations and computer labs.
The career center is something Executive Director Briana Rickman has high hopes for. For 18 years, the nonprofit has been serving underprivileged women in the community by dressing them for success.
“Our name says what we do. We dress women for success. That has really been our program, and the last couple of years we were kind of seeing a gap where ladies need workforce development skills,” said Rickman.
The career center used to be housed inside the Dress for Success store at 304 N. 29th St. in Billings. The clothes will stay there, and clients will still come to that location for appointment-based services.
However, at the new career center, women who are using the Dress for Success program can access the internet to search for jobs, get resume and cover letter assistance and even practice for interviews.
The new facility has a classroom and a place for childcare. Rickman said this location will offer women a chance to gain financial independence through educational classes focused in banking and budgeting. It’s also a place where women can focus on professional development, mentoring, health and wellness.
Another reason for the open house according to Rickman is to find volunteers.
“We are always looking for volunteers,” said Rickman.
If you are looking to volunteer with Dress for Success or interested in donations you can call Dress for Success at 406-256-7304.
Reporting by Andrea Lutz for MTN News
