Interview with Mia Johns of Dress for Success Austin
“What’s not to love about fashion and female empowerment?” asks Dress for Success Austin (DFSA) Executive Director Mia Johns in this conversation with In Touch Interviews. Dress for Success is a national network of local campuses, like the one in Austin, that empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools that help women thrive in work and in life. DFSA career development coaches help clients build confidence, practice interviewing, overcome obstacles to employment, become leaders, and advance their careers. Volunteers provide 97% of DFSA services, and they work with women-identifying clients of all ages, including formerly-retired clients and clients from AISD’s Alternative Learning Centers.
Interview with Jo Namayanja of the Mental Wellness Network
The Mental Wellness Network is a COVID-19-inspired project of founder Jo Namayanja, but the need for the network existed well before the public health crisis. A directory of free or low-cost mental healthcare clinics and providers and of community resources in food security, rent assistance, and more, the Mental Wellness Network connects community members with programs and places that can help them get and remain mentally healthy. Namayanja wants central Texans to prioritize their mental healthcare, reduce stigma surrounding mental health issues and therapy, and be able to easily access the help they and their communities need when they’re looking for it.