Celebrating the Holiday Soirée’s Success
“Since I was a little girl, I have loved learning. Books were my escape, my way to dream beyond the limits of my world. But I grew up in a place where girls were often told that their place was at home, not in school.
My family faced poverty and domestic violence, and for many years, I believed that my voice didn’t matter.
As an adult, I found myself repeating this painful pattern. I was in another abusive relationship, and the day I escaped with my children, I had no money, no family nearby, only a small backpack, and the courage to believe that life could be different.
A friend told me about Dress for Success, and that’s when everything began to change. I was welcomed by an incredible woman named Shay, who treated me not as someone broken but as someone with value, dignity, and potential. She helped me prepare for job interviews, provided me with professional clothing, and most importantly, helped me see myself again as a strong, capable, and worthy woman.” - Melissa, Client Success Ambassador and Guest Speaker
As the Dress for Success San Francisco team closes out a full and memorable weekend, there is so much pride in what was accomplished at this year’s Holiday Soirée. Thank you to everyone who shopped the racks and racks of beautiful clothing, who enjoyed the delicious boozy hot chocolate, and especially everyone who raised their paddles.
The event embodied the strength of the community—supporters, partners, volunteers, new and old friends coming together and showing just how many people want to be part of the Dress for Success family. Thanks to the dedication of everyone involved, it was an incredibly successful fundraising weekend!
Through the collective effort of volunteers, donors, supporters, and team members, Dress for Success San Francisco raised a total of $114,404, this past weekend, a $37,000 increase from 2024.
These funds will directly support the organization’s critical programs and comprehensive career support for women across the Bay Area working toward economic independence.
A Community Effort to Remember
Dress for Success San Francisco extends heartfelt thanks to the event Committees and to the incredible Co-Chairs Christina Roper Prévost, Jeanne Leinwand & Roxanne Deblauwe whose leadership and vision helped make the Soirée possible. Additional appreciation goes to Event Lead Marlena Cannon, Vice Chair of the Pop-Up, Melissa White, and Nicole Villa Krassner for all her help in planning this event.
Dress for Success San Francisco also acknowledges its vendor partners, McCalls, Illuminate Events, Terra Gallery, for stepping up in countless ways throughout the weekend. Their support helped create a seamless, welcoming, and beautifully executed experience for all attendees.
Big thanks to our photographer Drew Altizer for capturing the spirit of the evening.
And who could forget our epic photobooth from Creative Lei. Check out all the fun moments in this gallery.
And we couldn’t host and event without our incredible volunteers. They did so much: carried and organized clothing in our Pop-Up Shop, worked registration and checkout, and supported countless behind-the-scenes details. We thank you so much! Their dedication and teamwork were essential to making the event a true success.
Melissa’s Story
A heartfelt thank you goes to Melissa, our Client Ambassador, whose courage in sharing her story deeply moved and inspired everyone in the room. Beyond the fun of the event (and the fabulous finds), the real win is the impact your support will have on Melissa and the many women we serve.
Originally from Mexico City, Melissa earned a Master’s degree in Science. Seven years ago, she came to San Francisco, searching for hope, opportunity, and safety for herself and her two children.
Dress for Success became a place of safety and opportunity.
Melissa began attending every workshop and career session that Dress for Success offered. She learned how to interview with confidence, set professional goals, and present herself with pride. With the suit she received from her Career Wardrobe appointment, she went out every day looking for work.
Today, Melissa has her own home, a place filled with peace and confidence.
She is now the co-founder of a cooperative business here in San Francisco called Home Support and Companionship, which employs 10 people and serves 24 clients. She’s also become a community leader, helping other women and families find resources and strength just as she once did.
Because of you, more Bay Area women will have the clothing, coaching, core skills, and community they need to move from interviews to meaningful work.
A Celebration of Community and Impact
This year’s Holiday Soirée reaffirmed something powerful: the community stands firmly behind the mission of empowering women to thrive. Every volunteer, attendee, donor, and partner played a meaningful role in the weekend’s success.
Dress for Success San Francisco extends its sincere gratitude to all who contributed. Thank you for showing up, giving generously, and helping transform the lives of Bay Area women—one woman, one family, one future at a time.
The Importance of High-End In-Kind Donations
Holiday Soiree only works because of the generosity of our in-kind donors. We start collecting high-end items in January and this year we were blown away by how many beautiful pieces we received. Thank you to everyone who gave. A special shout out to our retail partners: Black Halo, Diarrablu, Two Skirts, and Paparazzi who all donated new items to the event. If you want to get involved, email Marlena@sfdress.org.
