Low-income women. Single mothers. Physically and mentally abused women. Uneducated women. Their struggles are enormous.
With Census 2010 upon us, we are about to find out how large the numbers are for these type of women. When the final numbers come in at the end of the year, the count will be staggering. Thousands upon thousands of women are disadvantaged and they live right here in San Antonio and the surrounding area.
Since 2000, struggling women of our city have had one solid place to turn for help. Dress for Success San Antonio has been their beacon of hope of finding a better quality life.
DFS San Antonio provides disadvantaged women with professional clothes, support, and training to find a permanent job. Simply, DFS San Antonio saves lives.
But now, DFS San Antonio is in trouble and they need our help.
This summer, DFS San Antonio is losing its building lease at 1115 W. Martin, located in the heart of downtown. The entire property will be demolished. On June 1, the parking lot will be bull dozed and on Aug. 27, the building will be torn down.
DFS San Antonio must move and find a new home. Thousands of women are counting on DFS San Antonio and its mission of giving them a second chance at life.
Pamela Taylor is the co-founder and executive director of DFS San Antonio. She says they have no where to go, but will find a new home.
"A lot of our clients are homeless. And we are looking at the fact that perhaps we are going to be homeless," said Taylor. "We need to find a facility in the short term. We have a lead on something, but we can still use some help on that if the community has any ideas and can help us.
"We are also looking at our long term," she continued. "We do not want to be in this type of position anymore. We really need to take the bull by the horns and take a look at our long term growth sustainability."
Despite the challenges, Ms. Taylor says DFS San Antonio will not close its doors.
"We are not closing our doors. Absolutely not. This is a very needed organization. There is nobody in San Antonio who does what we do. We will find a building," Taylor said.
DFS San Antonio has given so much to our city. Now the tables have turned. They need our help. Let's help them in their quest of finding a new home. Let's help them support their clients.
If you want to give or support the cause, call (210) 737-1515 or visit the web site at www.dressforsuccess.org/sanantonio. Also, check out attached video on my City Brights Blog for an inside look at DFS San Antonio.
Let's help our neighbors at DFS San Antonio. It's the right thing to do.
