“Looking good isn’t self-importance; it’s self-respect.” Charles Hix, Author
When we launched The Sisters Wine, it was essential to us as a team that we live our truth. Part of that was supporting organisations and events that bring women together to support and encourage each other. From the beginning, Dress for Success was an organisation that we believed embodied many of the values that The Sisters brand stands for. Today, some years later we are still proud to support this organisation and the wonderful work that they do.
You might be familiar with Dress for Success as an organisation that provides women entering or returning to the workforce with clothing to attend job interviews as well as for their employment, but the reality is that they provide so much more. Many of the women that come to Dress for Success have lost their self-esteem. Listen to their stories and you will understand that what they gain with help from Dress for Success is not just about the clothing, but a new perspective on themselves and the value they have in their communities and families. More importantly, they discover self-worth.
The Dress for Success vision is every woman succeeding. This comes from the belief that all women should have an equal opportunity to gain employment, be strong role models and contribute to thriving communities.
The organisation’s mission is, “To empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life”.
Here are five things you need to know about Dress for Success:
- Each client receives:
- a wrap-around service so she feels confident and prepared for her job interview.
- a one-on-one consultation with a trained volunteer stylist providing a complete interview outfit, make-up, jewellery, styling and valuable confidence-boosting and job ready tips.
- access to programmes and resources that will enhance her job-seeking activities and opportunities via their Career Centre Going Places
2. The clothing is just the beginning of the journey to help women thrive in work and life. In addition, they provide career development advice and a network of support that helps women gain professional skills, accelerate their job search and build confidence.
3. There is no one type of Dress for Success client. Dress for Success globally helps a diverse group of women who have faced a variety of life challenges and are seeking employment and self-sufficiency. They represent all ethnicities. More than 70% are single mothers, raising an average of two to three children. More than 60% are aged 18–38 and 10% are 46 or older.
4. Dress for Success assists women to move forward with confidence not just in how they look, but in how they feel. In recent years, they have added new programmes as part of the support they offer including the Going Places Network, Financial Literacy and Health and Wellness Programmes.
5. Once a client has secured a job, she is eligible for a second dressing providing three to five ‘mix and match’ outfits to cover a working week. She also receives long-term career support, mentoring and workshops to help her remain and progress in the workforce.
Dress for Success came to New Zealand in 1999, when the Auckland affiliate was founded. It was one of the first two ‘international’ affiliates established, thus beginning the expansion beyond the US borders (the other was Vancouver). There are seven affiliates in New Zealand: in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Northland, Bay of Plenty, and Wellington with two new affiliates coming to Hawkes Bay and Palmerston North. To date, they have helped tens of thousands of women.
To continue the valuable work that they do, they need funding and support. There are many events organised through the various affiliates in New Zealand and we are pleased to support these with The Sisters wines.
For more information on Dress for Success, you can visit their global website. Perhaps you can even help? You might be able to donate suitable clothing, or even become a volunteer?
