Dress for Success Oregon launched its Professional Women's Group (PWG) in January of 2001.  The PWG is a professional association of employed clients of DFSO who meet to share, grow, develop life skills, and network with other women who have recently transitioned into the workforce – some for the first time.

 Each regularly scheduled meeting consists of two key elements: an expert speaker leading a discussion, and a networking period. Speaker topics include: financial planning (budgeting, credit repair, homeownership, basic banking and investing), time management, the written and unwritten rules of the workplace, childcare, transportation and communication skills. Equally important, members build new friendships and sources of mutual support.

 DFSO's Professional Women's Group began with nine members in 2001. There are currently nearly 160 members in two groups, Phase I and Phase II. Phase II was created in 2004 for PWG members who have been active in the group for more than one year. The groups are partnered with the "Better Together" mentoring program of Portlandia, a local women's service group which matches individual members with a local mentor who provides them structured assistance in the on-going process of setting career goals and moving toward the ultimate goals of independence and self-sufficiency.

 Through attending the PWG meetings and one-on-one relationships with mentors all PWG members can develop the tools they need to advance in the workplace and provide greater leadership at home.

 In 2005 the PWG program was expanded to include the Career Corner—a space in the DFSO store where volunteers work one-on-one and in small groups with clients on career and work related issues. Clients have access to a computer, Internet service, copy and fax machines, and a library of resources. The Career Center is staffed by volunteers who work with clients on resumes,  practice job interviews and counsel them on career development and advancement.

For additional information on PWG contact Pam Mason at pamela.mason@comcast.net