(Image: www.dressforsuccess.org)
To say that Dress for Success (DFS) merely provides professional attire to women in need would be a grave injustice. Every year, this non-profit organization transforms the lives of over 1300 women and 650 men in Toronto through their resources, programs, and compassion. Not many people know that Dress for Success offers workshops, fundraisers, and other initiatives that help people on their journey to self-sufficiency. Dress for Success helps their clients create a life of security, stability, and fulfillment.
Helping Women and Men Achieve Economic Independence
I knew very little about Dress for Success prior to my visit to their Lowther Avenue location. My only knowledge of the organization consisted of a simplification of their main mission: to create a professional look from donated clothes to women who are looking for work but have no interview-appropriate attire. After meeting with Paige Souter, the gracious and personable Executive Director for Dress for Success Toronto, I’ve learned that the clothing is just a small part of the mission. I’ve also learned of the shocking statistics and obstacles for Dress for Success clients. “Most of our clients consist of forty percent single mothers, forty percent newcomers, and eleven percent young people from ages eighteen to thirty,” said Paige during our meeting. “For socio-cultural reasons, men find work faster than women,” she continued. Considering that single mothers in Canada have a net worth of $17,000 while single fathers are worth $80,000, women are more likely to live in poverty than males. People who are trying to create a new life in Canada struggle with many obstacles, such as language barriers and employers refusing to acknowledge their previous “non-Canadian” work experience and education. For young adults, finding that right career remains a strenuous and self-defeating experience. Our youthful appearance can be an obstacle in projecting an image of professionalism to potential employers as well.
For each person who is referred to DFS through their job agency (proof of referral and a $40.00 cheque from the job agency is required), they receive full access to all of the organization’s programs and workshops. The male clients have full access to the Dress Your Best Program, which offers one-on-one suit fittings with fully trained Image Consultants. Other programs include the Career Services Program that offers a computer infrastructure, interview rehearsals with other professionals, and many other resources to aid clients in their job hunt. The monthly Professional Women’s Group (PWG) is another successful program created to encourage, educate, and inspire the clients who have successfully found the job and are transitioning back into the work force. Each meeting consists of a discussion led by an expert speaker followed by a networking period with other women who are going through the same challenges. For a woman who is just returning to the corporate culture, it’s invaluable to have that support network and receive great advice from the experts (i.e., Human Resources experts and Financial Advisors.) The topics for these discussions vary from financial literacy and mental health to understanding the unwritten rules of professional conduct. According to Ms. Souter, the topic of how to eat nutritiously while on a tight budget was the most successful PWG meeting for 2013. In the spring, a new six-week long program called The Breakfast Club will be available for all DFS clients. All of these programs were made to help the clients become well rounded individuals and successfully balance their new work responsibilities with other aspects of their lives.
The Interview Fitting
One of the many racks of clothing at the Dress for Success boutique. Photo: Dress for Success
When I entered the boutique, the first thing that struck me was the size of the room and the many clothing racks. From observing the spacious boutique, I’ve noticed that all of the clothing are gently-used and at least five years of the current style. Every single item in the boutique was professional-grade, modern, and in immaculate condition. Immediately, a stylist greeted me at the door with a bright smile and sunny disposition. After completing the paperwork, the stylist introduced me to my two personal stylists. In one of the stylist’s hands was the first outfit that she already picked out for me. We went straight to the shoes section to look for appropriate workplace footwear. After finding the right footwear, we moved to the change rooms in the back where I would try my first outfit while my stylists rummaged the racks to create more outfits for me. When I tried on my first outfit, my jaw dropped when I emerged from the dressing room. I didn’t recognize the attractive young professional that was looking right back at me. The second outfit, which was a light brown knee-length dress and chocolate brown blouse, drew gasps and awes from everyone. During the fitting, I’ve felt a new-found confidence burst through my veins. Going into Dress for Success, I didn’t have any interview appropriate clothing. The last time I wore a suit, I looked and felt like a little girl playing dress-up in mommy’s clothes. Now I see myself as a confident young adult who is worthy of a career that is both well paying and fulfilling. Ninety-minutes later, I left the boutique with a bag full of clothing, shoes, and accessories along with cosmetics that I so desperately needed. On my way home, I reflected on the amazing experience of the day. It was clear that everyone at Dress for Success had the passion and devotion to empowering women through their phenomenal fashion sense, kindness, and accepting attitudes. DFS clients receive undivided positive attention, a welcoming change from often being the last priority in their lives. It’s amazing how an outfit crafted by a caring and knowledgeable individual can lead to a powerful transformation.
Getting Involved
The heart of Dress for Success lies in the volunteers. With over three hundred and fifty volunteers, DFS provides many volunteer opportunities for people of all abilities and skill sets. While some of the stylists come from a fashion background, most of them are volunteers and trained to be stylists. Successful clients have come back as the experts and mentors for the DFS workshops. There are fundraising events that people can get involved in throughout the year, such as the A Heel of a Good Time Gala and the Bay Street Suit Challenge. The Bay Street Suit Challenge draws out the humanitarian and competitive spirits between twenty to thirty companies to see who could donate the most suits to Dress for Success. To date, Dress for Success received over nine thousand pieces of clothing from the Bay Street Suit Challenge. There is also the monthly $2.00 Sale at the boutique for clothing and accessories that are too casual for the work place. The proceeds from all of these events fund the DFS programs and workshops. The roles are diverse but all of the volunteers must have the talent, passion, commitment, drive, and time for Dress for Success.
Going Places. Going Strong.
Going places and going strong in fabulous heels. Photo by Dress for Success.
In the words of Michelle Obama, “We should always have three friends in our lives —one who walks ahead who we look up to and follow; one who walks beside us, who is with us every step of our journey; and then, one who we reach back for and bring along after we’ve cleared the way.” Dress for Success empowers their clients to thrive professionally and personally. Dress for Success is an amazing collection of people who are helping thousands of disadvantaged women and men get back to work, rediscover their immense self-worth, and build a community of strong professionals. Dress for Success is changing lives every day, one outfit at a time.
