Crystal Groves’s life changed the moment she stepped into the Dress for Success Indianapolis (DFSI) boutique. At this point, she had gone through a tough time in her life and had lost her sense of self and direction. “I wasn’t sure who I was or what I wanted to do,” she said. However, that all changed with her first visit to the DFSI boutique.
“I felt beautiful. I felt no shame. No one had anything but positive, encouraging, and uplifting words for me,” said Crystal. “I felt like a queen.” Crystal appreciated that DFSI gave her the opportunity to trust other women in her community. “It’s so unique to have other women cheering you on and expecting nothing in return,” she said. “Walking through [DFSI’s] doors allows you to breathe. Just breathe and be.”
Now, Crystal is the biggest cheerleader both for herself and the other women she has met through DFSI. Since her first encounter with the organization, Crystal has participated in the Professional Women’s Group, taught cooking classes for women in transition periods of life, supported numerous DFSI events and projects, and cheered on countless women in the Indianapolis community. “I have a duty—we are raising up our next generation of women. I want to show women who they are and show them their worth. It’s not about who I was or wasn’t—I can set a victim mentality, or I can move forward and pull others out.”
The Professional Women’s Group (PWG) is an ongoing program hosted by DFSI, offered to help employed women develop skills and knowledge that can propel them to a sustainable career. Learn more about PWG here.
