“More Than Clothes”: Jenee’ Green Meets Women Where They Are
It isn’t just blazers, resumes, or mock interviews. While volunteers at Dress for Success Indianapolis help clients with all three, that’s not what keeps Jenee’ Green coming back.
“If a woman needs a hug, we start there, Jenee’ said. “If she needs a suit, we find the suit. We start wherever she feels comfortable and confident—that’s the goal.”
Jenee’ has volunteered with Dress for Success Indianapolis for about 13 years. She began in the stockroom sorting donations and in 2022 decided to volunteer as a stylist in the boutique. Stylists help clients go through the process of selecting outfits for whatever their professional needs are – whether it’s attire needed for an office setting, a hospital, a construction site or something else. She’s been known to pitch in wherever she’s needed: helping clients with a styling appointment, volunteering at the annual Stepping Out in Style gala (you may have spotted her running the wine pull at the most recent gala) and leading LinkedIn workshops for clients. Jenee’ has also created empowerment sessions for the Professional Women’s Group (PWG), including a favorite workshop she designed called “You Are a Masterpiece.”
PWG—short for Professional Women’s Group—is a community for women who have already engaged with Dress for Success. “It’s an extended opportunity,” Jenee’ explains. “They meet regularly, hear from speakers, build skills, and keep growing together.” That’s the part many people don’t see, she added. “Some folks think it’s a one-touch experience—you shop the boutique and you’re done. But Dress for Success Indianapolis is layered support. The clothes are the entry point; the community is the heart of it.”
With a strong background in community outreach, Jenee draws on both her professional expertise and personal experiences to connect with clients. “When I meet with women, I don’t lead with my résumé or accomplishments. Instead, I focus on them—because at that moment, their needs matter most.”
She remembers a recent styling appointment with a taller, plus-size client who worried she wouldn’t find anything that fit. “I tell everyone: we receive so many generous donations—there’s something here for you,” Jenee’ said. “We kept working until she smiled at her reflection. That smile—that’s when you know you’ve hit it.”
That moment is the heartbeat of the mission. Dress for Success Indianapolis helps empower women in Central Indiana to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to thrive at work and in life. Jenee’ sees how the right outfit can jump-start a larger transformation. “Even when we don’t feel our best, the right jacket or pair of pants can help us carry ourselves differently,” she said. “It’s one piece of a bigger 360° approach—resume help, interview prep, networking through PWG—so women can move forward with their desired goals.”
Volunteering has changed Jenee’, too. “I believe in planting seeds,” she said. “If I have only one interaction with a woman, I hope what I give—kindness, style advice, a LinkedIn tip—gets watered by the next person she meets. Life is going to life. We all need that hello, that boost, that reminder: you belong here.”
Her commitment shows up beyond the boutique. Jenee’ jokes that much of her own wardrobe comes from client sales. “It’s another way of giving back,” she said. “There are so many ways to help,” she said. “Sort jewelry, organize shoes, support in the boutique, lead a workshop—bring a friend and turn the stockroom into a little party. It’s a great atmosphere.”
For women stepping into the Dress for Success space—clients and volunteers alike—Jenee’ wants the experience to feel like family. “When you walk in, it’s about you,” she said. “We see you. We listen. And we’ll do everything we can to help you feel confident when you look in the mirror.”
Ready to get involved? Dress for Success Indianapolis needs boutique and stockroom support, career development and administrative volunteers, and workshop speakers. Learn more or sign up to volunteer at indydfs.org.
