Voices Of Impact With Ryan France

How To Build A Network Of Impassioned Volunteers Despite a longstanding, successful background in marketing & community relations, eight years ago, Mia Johns was at a crossroads. She was searching for a sense of fulfillment and a community that spread the “message of hope.” She found her match in Dress For Success Austin. Starting out as part-time volunteer coordinator, Johns later ascended to Program Director — tasked with building community and helping further the mission of a local affiliate that has served over 11,000 women since opening its doors in 2003. “Women come to Dress For Success Austin with a variety of challenges — homelessness, underemployment, divorce, domestic violence or illness — and we do provide clothing and support. But we are much more than that,” Mia says. “We have so many pre and post-workforce development programs. We pride ourselves on meeting each client exactly where she is and helping her along her journey to self-sufficiency.” With just five full-time staff, serving thousan