News

Event / News

O’Dell Center grants boost low-income women’s economic mobility

  SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The O’Dell Women’s Center hosted a luncheon on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate its grant recipients. These grants will continue to invest in programs that address barriers to economic mobility and create pathways to long-term stability for low-income women. Last year, the center distributed $550,000 to nine non-profit partners. Among the non-profit organizations that received grants were Dress for Success Western Massachusetts and Girls Inc. of the Valley. “It means the world to the women who were serving, and we hope to expand to serve more low-income women who need a lot of support,” said Margaret...

Event / News / Tag Sale

Find a Bargain at the “Dress for Success” Tag Sale–Help a Woman on Her Way to a New Life

  (Mass Appeal) – Dress for Success Western Massachusetts is a nonprofit empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing professional attire, career development tools, and a support network. They are having a tag sale to raise money and make room for new inventory. Discover amazing finds while giving back to your community!   View Article Here

Event promotion graphic for Common Threads, a Dress for Success Western Massachusetts fundraiser. Features a photo of a joyful woman in a gold dress holding flowers at a previous event, set against a red bokeh background. Text announces the event on Thursday, April 16, 2026, from 5:30–8:30 PM at The Log Cabin. Bold header reads "Register Today!"

Common Threads / Event / News

Dress for Success! Here to Help Women on the Road to Success and You Can Help

  (Mass Appeal) – Common Threads–It’s the fundraising event to benefit the work of Dress for Success of Western Massachusetts. At this annual Gala you’ll get to meet inspirational women and hear their live-changing stories largely because they had the support from programs provided through Dress for Success. So let’s keep the success going and welcome Leia Bhuiya and Jess Roncarati-Howe here to tell us how to join in.   Click Here For Full Article

Flyer for Gary Rome Auto Group's "Help Us Stuff the Trunk" clothing drive, running March 1–31. Features logos for Suit Up Springfield and Dress for Success Western Massachusetts. Donation drop-off locations listed for Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke, MA and Gary Rome Kia in Enfield, CT, with store hours.

Event / News

Gary Rome Auto Group launches annual business clothing drive

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Gary Rome Auto Group is hosting its annual “Stuff the Trunk” business clothing drive to help local residents prepare for the workforce. The initiative collects professional attire for men and women as they prepare to enter or re-enter the job market. Donations are being accepted throughout the month of March at Rome Hyundai in Holyoke and Rome Kia in Enfield. The items collected during the drive benefit Suit Up Springfield and Dress for Success Western Massachusetts.   Click Here For Full Article  

Mass Appeal logo

News

Gary Rome collecting professional clothing for Suit Up Springfield and Dress for Success Western Massachusetts in March

(Mass Appeal) – Throughout the month of March, Gary Rome Hyundai and Gary Rome Kia are collecting professional clothing for Suit Up Springfield and Dress for Success Western Massachusetts. This drive supports men and women re-entering the workforce by providing professional attire for interviews and employment. See Full Article Here

Event / News

Women’s Fund grants $130K to aid women and girls in western Mass.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts awarded $130,000 in Community Resilience grant funding to 17 organizations this past year, aiming to support women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. The grants focus on critical areas such as domestic violence prevention, immigration support, trans justice and leadership movement development. The funding comes in response to community needs exacerbated by cuts to federal, state and local funding.   Click Here For Full Article

The Reminder logo

News

Dress for Success clothing drive to aid pop-up boutique

NORTHAMPTON — Dress for Success Western Massachusetts is hosting a clothing drive to support a pop-up boutique coming to Thornes Marketplace on Nov. 16. Dress for Success is a nonprofit with a mission to help unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence by providing no-fee programs, develop tools and professional attire to thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success Western Massachusetts Community Engagement Manager Diane Jacobs told Reminder Publishing the pop-up boutiques have become a popular mode of giving back items raised through clothing drives to their clientele seeking professional work attire. After hosting a pop-up boutique in...

Group of officials and community members gathered at podium in formal government chamber for Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation ceremony

News

Springfield honors survivors as Domestic Violence Month starts

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Springfield started Domestic Violence Awareness Month with a ceremony to honor survivors and raise awareness, organized by the Springfield Women’s Commission. The event brought together community leaders, elected officials, and advocates to highlight the ongoing issue of domestic violence and to support those affected by it. “Our mission is to ensure that survivors of domestic violence receive care, advocacy, and justice, while we hold offenders accountable,” said Hampden County District Attorney Anthony Gulluni. The ceremony featured the color purple, symbolizing domestic violence awareness, and included a moment of silence to honor the lives lost. The Springfield...

Event / News

The O’Dell Women’s Center celebrates grand reopening

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The O’Dell Women’s Center in Springfield celebrated its grand reopening, providing a necessary resource for low-income women seeking support and financial independence. Located at 45 Lyman Street in Springfield, the center is the first of its kind in the city, offering a safe space for women to access resources and pursue economic stability. The center was originally founded 18 months ago and has quickly become an essential part of the community. “People need to connect, have direct communication, and feel like they’re being seen, they’re being heard,” said Margaret Tantillo, Executive Director of the O’Dell Women’s...