The Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) community has kicked off the fifth annual Essentials 4 Job Security Giveback, a program coinciding with ISC West that supports the efforts of Dress for Success Southern Nevada (DFSSN) to help women build careers and achieve financial independence.

This local affiliate of the international nonprofit organization empowers women in the Las Vegas Valley to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help them succeed in work at in life. The Women in Security Forum has chosen to partner with DFSSN because safety and security begin with financial stability. This struggle is particularly profound for women in living in Nevada, where they face the highest rate of unemployment of all 50 states.

To maximize the impact of this year’s program, WISF and the initiative’s organizers are urging companies to set up donation boxes at their facilities to collect clothing and accessories appropriate for workers in the service industry.

The items most in demand are new or gently used:

• Basic black work attire
• Button-down and polo shirts — preferably white or black
• Slacks – navy, khaki or gray
• Handbags
• Flats, loafers and other low-heel, closed-toe workplace shoes — black, brown or blue (no sneakers)
• Accessories: belts, scarves and jewelry
• New, unopened makeup for darker skin tones
• Hygiene kits: New, sealed travel size toiletries, liquid shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer (no bars of soap)

Companies can ship the collected goods to ISC West inside their crates. Once there, donations can be brought to collection boxes at the SIA’s booth, #8089.

In addition to collecting the above items, the WISF UpliftHER subcommittee will host a group of clients from Dress for Success on the morning of Friday, April 4, during ISC West. The women will attend the ISC West Day 3 Keynote event, presented by WISF, and a special breakfast celebrating the 2025 WISF Power 100 honorees, participate in a private Q&A session with women representatives of the security industry and make scheduled visits to exhibitor booths to learn about jobs in the security industry. MicroKey, Intertech, Resideo and Rapid Response have graciously offered to make informal presentations to the group at their respective booths.

WISF will also have a location within the SIA booth where show attendees and exhibitors can write notes of encouragement to Dress for Success clients. Personal messages have proven to deliver much-appreciated emotional boosts to their recipients.