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By Joseph Bednar March 28, 2025 When Jessica Roncarati-Howe was honored as a member of the 40 Under Forty class of 2012, she was executive director of the AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts — a job with many hats, all of which she wore proudly. As the foundation’s only paid staff member, she was in charge of marketing and development, administering the grant program, co-chairing most events, and overseeing a cadre of volunteers and interns. The AIDS Foundation had three missions: providing financial assistance to about 100 patients a year for expenses like rent, utilities, and medications; educational components, including...

An unforgettable day with Subaru of New England! We were honored to be the charity partner at Subaru’s Retailer Meeting at Lakeview Pavilion this past Thursday in Foxboro, MA, where we had the opportunity to share our mission with 200 incredible attendees. Their generosity blew us away—not only did they donate a massive collection of women’s clothing and accessories to empower our clients, but Subaru of New England’s CEO, Ernie Boch Jr., along with media spokesperson Rebecca Carr, surprised us with an unbelievably generous $12,000 donation! We at Dress for Success Western MA are beyond grateful for their support, which...

by Ryan Feyre | Jan 20, 2025 | Hampden County, Local News, Photo Slider, Springfield SPRINGFIELD — Jess Roncarati-Howe remembers the days when Dress for Success Western Massachusetts was operating out of an old dentist’s office in the now-defunct Eastfield Mall. “Just over a year ago, we were rammed into an old dentist’s office that, no matter how hard our volunteers worked, looked like an old dentist’s office,” said Roncarati-Howe, the executive director for Dress for Success Western Massachusetts. Those days, however, are long gone for the highly regarded nonprofit organization, whose goal is to empower unemployed and underemployed women...

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – Dress for Success Western Massachusetts is celebrating 25 years of business in 2025, and they celebrated by cutting the ceremonial ribbon at their new career center. “That outfit started my career,” said Eliana Gutierrez. One outfit and one person at a time. Dress for Success Western Massachusetts has opened a new women’s career center in downtown Springfield, and the women in attendance were walking examples of the positive work they have done over the last 25 years. Gutierrez is now a legislative aide for State Representative Carlos Gonzalez, but at the ribbon cutting today, she shared...

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno and city and state officials joined with Dress for Success Western Massachusetts (DFSWM) on Wednesday morning for a special ribbon cutting celebration at DFSWM’s new Career Center located at 45 Lyman Street in Springfield. Mayor Sarno was honored to join Dress for Success Western Massachusetts Executive Director Jess Roncarati-Howe, DFSWM Board President Tracy Friedenberg, O’Dell Womens Center Director Margaret Tantillo, and founder of the Western Massachusetts Dress for Success organization Doreen Fadus to celebrate this exciting milestone for DFSWM as they continue to enhance their services to empower women in our community. State Representatives Carlos Gonzalez,...