Dress for Success Vancouver is fortunate to have the support of many outstanding volunteers, one of which is Genevieve Blondin, an amazing advocate of the organization. She has given her time in many ways including in the Career Centre, as a Style Consultant, a Committee Member, and now an Advisory Board Member. She also sponsors a woman with our monthly donor program.
What do you do?
I’m the Chief Operating Officer at Growing City.
How did you hear about DFS Vancouver?
I had visited the Portabello West craft festival and met two ladies from YES Vancouver. They told me about DFS Vancouver. I was new in the city and wanted to meet people. I started out helping with sponsorship for Power Walk.
Why do you choose to support DFS Vancouver?
When the ladies from YES Vancouver talked about DFS Vancouver, it was an org that rang true to me. There are two type of causes I support: the environment and women. Since I already work in the environmental field, I thought in my spare time I would give back to women in need.
What is the most fulfilling thing about supporting DFS Vancouver?
Being able to see women gain confidence and get back out in the work force. Helping them be an active part of society again and making them feel good about that as well.
What do you hope that DFS Vancouver can accomplish in the next 5 years?
I hope that they continue their growth like they’ve been doing now, they’ve been doing well. I hope that continues to grow over time and I hope that they will be able to grow their team to be able to capitalize on all the opportunities in the market.
How long have you been supporting DFS Vancouver?
I have been supporting for 2 years.
I volunteered for the Power Walk event and did quite a bit of volunteering for sponsorship for other events. I was a career specialist for a little while and this year I was asked to be on their fundraising advisory board.I’m looking forward to attending as many events as I can as a guest.
Why did you decide to sponsor a woman through DFS Vancouver?
Volunteering my time with the organization made me realize how much Dress for Success' services (Consulting, Career Centre, and Professional Women's Group) empowered and helped women back into the workforce. My involvement with finding sponsors for events also showed me how much each donation helps the organization grow so even more women benefit from the services provided by the amazing volunteers. For these reasons, I decided to make my donation count by choosing to sponsor a woman through their monthly program.
What does sponsoring through DFS Vancouver entail?
It's the easiest thing! Each month, I have $30 taken directly from my credit card (that's $1 a day!) and, at the end of the year, I receive a tax receipt. Now that I have less time to donate to the organization, this sponsorship program makes me feel like I'm doing my part.
Do you have a favourite story or memory from DFS Vancouver?
I’d say when we were able to bring on a large sponsor last year. A woman from Toronto came to Vancouver and Jennifer and I gave her a tour of the boutique and had a chat. That really helped convince them to come onboard. It just goes to show how powerful the story is, when they get a glimpse of the Day to Day at DFS Vancouver, most people are pretty ready to give.
Any other thoughts about DFS Vancouver?
Being new to the city, DFS Vancouver helped me integrate into my new life in Vancouver and I’m really grateful for the relationships that i’ve built through them. It feels like a second family.
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