In a landmark moment of collaboration, Dress for Success Arizona and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) celebrated the grand opening of the transformative HOPE for Success Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Perryville on Tuesday, October 21, 2025.

PHOENIX – August 5, 2025 – Dress for Success Phoenix has received a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to significantly expand its regional workforce development initiative focused on formerly incarcerated women.

The Federal Pathway Home 6 Grant was awarded to the organization’s HOPE for Success program and its newest initiative, The HOPE Center, a satellite studio located inside Perryville Women’s Prison.

The grant will enable HOPE for Success to provide more women with personalized career development, financial wellness education, occupational apparel, and yearlong case management that begins before release and continues during reentry. The goal is to close the gap between prison release and skills-based employment, improving reentry outcomes and reducing recidivism. The need for such dedicated services is paramount, with more than 3,000 women incarcerated at Perryville.

This also strengthens Dress for Success Phoenix’s position as a regional workforce development leader whose partnerships enable it to have broad impact.

“It is a meaningful investment in our mission to help women rebuild their lives and reenter their communities with confidence,” said Tamala McBath, CEO of Dress for Success Phoenix. “Our programs provide a pathway to self-sufficiency through education, employment, and wraparound support that reduces recidivism and creates long-term change.”

Data from the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) shows that approximately one-fifth of women released from prison return within three years. Women leaving incarceration face particularly steep challenges, including unemployment, housing insecurity, and increased risk of sex trafficking. About 60 percent of women exiting Perryville are mothers of minors, and many return to communities in Maricopa County where poverty rates reach as high as 33 percent.

“The work planned at the HOPE Center will have a tremendous impact on the women in our custody and care, providing them with greater opportunities and resources to confidently reenter and thrive in Arizona’s communities. By supporting individual success and transformative change, innovative partnerships like this strengthen public safety across Arizona,” said Director Ryan Thornell, Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry.

This initiative helps meet Arizona’s urgent workforce needs by preparing untapped talent for in-demand jobs. As employers across Arizona face hiring challenges, Dress for Success Phoenix plays a key role in creating pathways to employment and economic independence.

“We are proud to be a trusted workforce development partner, having already supported more than 1,000 women through HOPE for Success and thousands more through our career programs,” said McBath.

The HOPE for Success program, which stands for Helping Open Pathways to Employment, addresses these systemic challenges by providing targeted pre- and post-release services. Inside Perryville, participants will engage in more than 80 hours of self-paced job readiness and career development curriculum through a custom digital application created by R3 Score Technologies.

Dress for Success Phoenix will utilize R3 Score Technologies to deliver career training, workforce credentials, and digital readiness content directly through tablets inside Perryville. The goal is to ensure that incarcerated women have access to market-driven tools supporting long-term employment. Through this partnership, Dress for Success Phoenix and R3 Score are setting a national standard for what it means to prepare women to thrive post-release. “We are honored to be selected as the secure technology infrastructure to power this groundbreaking in-prison initiative,” said Laurin Leonard, President & CEO of R3 Score Technologies.

The women will access the content via tablets provided by Aventiv, a diversified technology company that provides communications, tablet‑based education, reentry tools, and payment services for correctional facilities and incarcerated individuals across the U.S. Its reputation for innovative technology solutions will enhance digital outreach and service delivery for women preparing to reenter the workforce. “Our partnership with Dress for Success Phoenix on the HOPE for Success program is a testament to our shared commitment to improving reentry outcomes and expanding access to opportunity,” said Alisha Shoates James, Senior Vice President, Aventiv Technologies.

The women will also receive personalized support from Dress for Success Phoenix case managers and career coaches. Upon release, women are outfitted with both personal and professional clothing, wrap-around services, and continue working with their assigned case manager for 12 months to access job placement services, housing resources, childcare support, and higher education or certification programs.

Post-release, the organization also extends services to rural and underserved communities throughout Arizona through its Mobile Career Center and additional satellite studios, addressing similar reentry needs in counties like Pinal, Yuma, and Coconino, where access to consistent support is even more limited.

The HOPE Center is the first permanent, in-prison location operated by Dress for Success Phoenix. It provides a safe and empowering space where women can begin planning for life beyond incarceration. Workforce development and reentry programs like HOPE for Success are vital for breaking cycles of poverty, incarceration, and trauma that affect not only individuals but entire families and communities. Children of incarcerated mothers face an increased risk of homelessness, lower educational achievement, and entry into the criminal justice system themselves. Investing in programs that stabilize families and promote economic independence has far-reaching impacts.

To learn more about HOPE for Success or Dress for Success Phoenix, visit dfsphoenix.org.

Dress for Success Phoenix is proud to announce a significant milestone in its continued growth and impact: the organization will relocate to a new, expanded campus at Park Central in the heart of Central Phoenix’s business corridor. The physical move will take place on June 1, 2025, with operations anticipated to resume at the new location on June 9, 2025. Visit dfsphoenix.org for ongoing updates.

The new address will be:
Dress for Success Phoenix – Park Central
3110 N Central Ave, D-200 (Diamond Building)
Phoenix, AZ 85012

Conveniently situated between Thomas and Osborn Roads, the new campus is accessible via the Valley Metro Light Rail, with the Thomas/Central Avenue station just steps away. This location makes it even easier for clients and visitors to access Dress for Success Phoenix’s vital services.

“This move is more than just a change of location. It’s a powerful investment in the future of the women, teens, and young adults we serve,” said Tamala McBath, CEO of Dress for Success Phoenix. “Being in the heart of Phoenix’s professional community strengthens our commitment to workforce development, giving those in our programs even greater access to resources, mentorship, and opportunity.”

Park Central is a revitalized mixed-use development that blends mid-century modern architecture with modern amenities, creating a dynamic environment for business, education, and community engagement. Originally opened in 1957 as Phoenix’s first shopping mall, Park Central has been transformed into a vibrant hub featuring office spaces, retail outlets, and cultural venues, all designed to foster innovation and collaboration. Major nearby businesses include Creighton University and Dignity Health.

The new space will feature enhanced career workspaces, collaborative areas, and expanded capacity to launch future initiatives. It is intentionally designed to foster empowerment, connection, and growth for the thousands Dress for Success Phoenix serves each year.

The organization kindly asks the public to hold clothing donations until June 16, 2025 to ensure a smooth transition.

Community members who would like to support the move are encouraged to volunteer. Dress for Success Phoenix will be utilizing volunteer groups throughout the month of May to help with packing, organizing, and preparing for the relocation. Interested individuals or teams can sign up here:

Dress for Success Phoenix looks forward to welcoming clients, partners, and community members to the new campus. A formal grand opening will take place in the Fall, with details to follow.

For more information about Park Central, visit parkcentralphoenix.com. For more information about Dress for Success Phoenix, visit dfsphoenix.org.

CEO of Dress for Success Phoenix, Tamala McBath, shared her excitement: “Jess has a remarkable ability to connect people’s philanthropic desires with impactful opportunities. Her dedication to building meaningful relationships and achieving outstanding results will undoubtedly elevate our mission.”

Throughout her career, she has built strong donor connections, launched impactful programs, and developed strategies to increase community support, all aimed at empowering those in need. Legaspi’s extensive experience includes key fundraising roles at Phoenix Rescue Mission, where she cultivated
donor relationships and contributed to several high-impact giving programs.

Previously, she transformed operations at Agua Fria Food & Clothing Bank and successfully led several initiatives, including a clothing bank renovation and a virtual fundraiser. In her role as Director of Development at Dress for Success Phoenix, Legaspi, a first-generation college student, has a personal connection to the challenges many women face in overcoming barriers to economic independence.

Beyond her professional achievements, Legaspi is a former entrepreneur, having run a thriving photography business for eight years. This diverse background fuels her unique approach to nonprofit development.

Legaspi has a passion for volunteerism, and she is currently an active member of Leadership West, Class 30, where she collaborates with local leaders to drive meaningful change across the West Valley.

About Dress for Success Phoenix:

Dress for Success Phoenix is a nonprofit organization that empowers women and their families to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools needed to help them thrive in work and in life. Any woman referred by a community partner is eligible for free-of-charge programs and services. Since opening its doors in 2009, Dress for Success Phoenix has assisted over 25,000 women. For more information about Dress for Success Phoenix, visit www.dfsphoenix.org.