New Ypsi-based program offers free training for women entering or re-entering workforce

On the Ground Ypsilanti is an “embedded journalism” program covering the city and township of Ypsilanti. It is supported by Ann Arbor SPARK, the Center for Health and Research Transformation, Destination Ann Arbor, Eastern Michigan University, Engage @ EMU, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, and Washtenaw ISD.

Dress for Success Michigan, Ypsilanti’s local branch of the international nonprofit Dress for Success, is expanding its mission with the launch of Career Builders, a new, free, four-week workforce development program designed to help women move directly from education to employment.

Dress for Success’ primary mission involves providing free professional attire for women in need. When the inaugural cohort of Career Builders begins Aug. 1, participants will receive training in workplace professionalism, résumé development, personal branding, interview preparation, foundational artificial intelligence literacy, financial wellness, and individualized coaching. Career Builders graduates will also receive mentorship and direct access to employer partners, with the goal of creating a clear pathway into the workforce.

According to Dress for Success Michigan Chief Operations Officer Tierra Tafoya, the program was developed in response to the changing needs of women entering and re-entering the workforce.

“Career Builders was inspired by growing demand for both professional and digital workplace skills,” Tafoya says. “We recognized that many women need more than professional attire. They also need practical training, confidence-building, and direct connections to employment opportunities.”

Career Builders expands on Dress for Success Michigan’s existing services by combining career readiness, workforce training, and employment support into a structured program aimed at helping participants build long-term economic stability. While the organization has long provided professional clothing and interview support, Tafoya says Career Builders offers a more comprehensive approach by equipping participants with the skills and confidence needed to succeed in today’s job market.

The curriculum was shaped through feedback from employers, workforce development professionals, and the women Dress for Success Michigan serves. Local colleges and training institutions will help ensure coursework remains aligned with current workforce trends, particularly in digital literacy, professional communication, and emerging workplace technologies. Corporate hiring partners will also play an active role by providing industry insights, serving as guest speakers, conducting mock interviews, and helping identify the skills they seek in prospective employees.

Upon completing the program, graduates will leave with a polished résumé, a personalized career action plan, expanded professional networks, and enhanced job-readiness skills. Participants will then be introduced to Dress for Success Michigan’s hiring partner network and placed into a talent pool that employers can access when recruiting for open positions.

“In practice, Career Builders creates a direct pathway from skills development to employment by combining job-readiness training with meaningful employer engagement,” Tafoya says. “Participants gain practical workplace skills through workshops and coaching, then connect with corporate partners immediately and directly.”

Tafoya says the program is designed to bridge the gap between workforce training and employment by addressing barriers such as limited professional networks, gaps in workplace and digital skills, insufficient access to employers, and a lack of confidence. By bringing workforce training and employer partnerships together, she says the organization hopes to create sustainable employment opportunities while strengthening employers’ talent pipelines.

Ahead of the cohort’s launch in August, Dress for Success Michigan will also host a free Lunch & Learn event July 21 at the Ypsilanti District Library’s Whittaker Branch. The event invites community members as well as corporations, colleges, and other local partners to learn how partnering with Dress for Success Michigan can support career readiness and create lasting impact throughout local communities.

To learn more about Career Builders or reserve a seat at Lunch & Learn, email michigan@dressforsuccess.org. More information about Dress for Success Michigan’s mission and upcoming events is available on the organization’s website.

“We believe by bringing together education partners and employers, this program creates life-changing opportunities for women to gain the skills, confidence, and connections needed to achieve sustainable employment and economic independence,” Tafoya says. “Together, we can create a stronger workforce, stronger businesses, and ultimately a stronger, more resilient community for everyone.”