Niecy Nash Welcomes Dress for Success to the West

Joi Gordon, Niecy Nash

Popular television actress-comedienne Niecy Nash (The Insider, Reno 911!, Clean House, Bernie Mac) celebrated the grand opening of the new west coast regional office of nonprofit Dress for Success Worldwide yesterday in Hollywood.



Nash serves as celebrity ambassador for the international organization, which helps disadvantaged women gain economic independence by providing them with professional attire, career development resources and a support network.



Since breaking ground in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 100 cities across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, the U.K., and the West Indies and served more than 500,000 women.



During yesterday's ribbon-cutting, Nash presented Dress for Success CEO Joi Gordon with a red business suit donated from her personal wardrobe. "This is truly a power suit," she said. "Any woman wearing it will walk into an interview or workplace situation feeling confident and diva-fied."



Dress for Success Worldwide - West will serve low-income women in Los Angeles County and provide support to the organization's 20-plus western region affiliates. Gordon said the office anticipates serving more than 2,500 local women next year — the first of whom was on hand yesterday to thank the team for helping her find employment in a tough economy:



"Dress for Success gave me hope when I believed there was none," LaTanya Darton shared. "I am very happy to be working again."



To donate attire, volunteer as a personal shopper, offer support, or seek assistance from Dress for Success Worldwide - West, visit www.dressforsuccess.org/worldwidewest.