DRESS FOR SUCCESS - A CHARITY FULL OF PROMISE
By: Maggie Machacon
Each year, millions of tons of clothes are thrown away. Some are discarded because they are beyond repair but many are still in wearable condition. Truckloads of clothes are burnt or buried in landfills but Textiles can take up to 200+ years to decompose in landfills. This is why we are seeing a huge increase in efforts to bring awareness to sustainability. Aside from making our own choices as consumers to reduce our textile footprint, there are many excellent organizations working towards positive social change.
Dress for Success is a global fashion based not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to 143 cities in 23 countries and has helped more than 1.3 million women work towards self-sufficiency.
Dress for Success is part of a global movement for change and is one of the many charities striving towards making an impact on people’s lives who are going through transition. In partnership with agencies, corporate sponsors, individual donors and volunteers, they work to help women transition from unemployment to economic independence. With a mission to empower women, they provide them with a network of support, professional attire, and development tools. With their services, they cater to women of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. With their free educational services and suiting program, they enable women to secure meaningful employment. Through their suiting program, women in need are paired with stylists to provide them with professional clothing as well as advice and tips for an interview.
Dress For Success not only focuses on the aesthetics but skills as well. Through their free learning programs, women have access to educational materials that build their professional skills and accelerate job search. In addition to that, they host all kinds of workshops for interactive and hands-on work. For the women who have successfully obtained employment through their services, they are given access to free monthly forums of support that offer encouragement, practical education, and inspiration.
According to their website, the Toronto branch alone serves nearly 1700 local women annually. In 2019, they provided over 30 000 pieces of professional clothing and accessories to help women look and feel professional for job interviews. Statistically, 35% of their clients find employment in less than a year and 70% of clients are still employed a year after becoming a member.
With their work, they are providing women with long term solutions to break the cycle of poverty. Under the beliefs that every woman has the right to realize her full potential, they are helping so many women get a fresh start in life and giving jobs to amazing candidates that deserve the recognition they were unable to receive before.