Partnering for ‘Success’

June 20, 2007 — Local members of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) recently pooled their talents to once again assist Ingrid Fray, Founder and Executive Director of Dress for Success Nassau County, a nonprofit organization that helps low-income women by providing business attire and job preparedness programs.

In January of 2006, for National Get Organized Month (GO Month), NAPO’s Professional Organizers of Long Island (POLI) helped Ms. Fray to organize the donations she received at her space in Hempstead—a space that had been provided to her by the Family & Children's Association. However, when the association expanded its program and needed more room, Ms. Fray had to move.

Fortunately, the New York State Department of Labor stepped in, donating the space Dress for Success Nassau County now occupies in their Hicksville location. Hoping to make accessing items as easy at this location as it had been in Hempstead, Ms. Fray called POLI.

Professional Organizers Marguerite Barone, Linda Goldfarb, Alix Lieberman and Carla Mazzuchelli set about sorting and storing the donated suits, career separates, shoes, handbags, and other accessories that will be provided to women in need of assistance.

“Dress for Success Nassau County suits over 400 women a year,” according to Ms. Fray. “Organization is the key to a successful program and NAPO has helped us reach the next level. Now, when a woman walks through our doors we are truly prepared. All of the donated suits have been coordinated by size and color and [our storage space] looks like you just stepped into a department store. We hope to continue our partnership with NAPO going forward with regard to our future expansion plans.”

Dress for Success Nassau County is located at the Hicksville Career Center, New York State Department of Labor, 301 W. Old Country Road, Hicksville, NY 11801. For more information or to make a donation, please call 516-873-5687.

For more information about the National Association of Professional Organizers or Professional Organizers of Long Island, please call Marguerite Barone (631-525-2899), Linda Goldfarb (516-486-1163), Alix Lieberman (516-361-6319) or Carla Mazzuchelli (516-827-0288).