Monthly Sponsor Profile: Genevieve Blondin

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. 

A Few Good Men: Paul Keelan, CFO Coast Underwriters

The second spotlight in our A Few Good Men series is Paul Keelan, CFO at Coast Underwriters. Paul met us at DFS Vancouver when he group volunteered with his former company, PricewaterhouseCoopers. He attends our events, sits on our board, and lends a hand whenever we need!

How are you involved with Dress for Success Vancouver?

I’m on the board of directors.

The board of any organization helps provide governance and oversight, and helps set the direction for the organization. Being a CA, I’m involved on the finance side. 

How or why did you get involved with the organization?

When I was working with PwC I joined in on a team volunteering day. The firm gives employees one day a year paid to do volunteering. They have a foundation that connects with not for profits and creates opportunities to get involved - Dress for Success Vancouver was one of them. 

During my team volunteering day I spent time sorting clothes and helping them change from winter to spring clothes. I met some of the DFS Vancouver staff and volunteers and I was really amazed with the number of women who were being helped on such a modest budget; what tremendous work is being done with very little. As a result, I stayed connected and volunteered again. I continued supporting them financially and attended events. I’ve attended Impact since the beginning; it’s been fun to see the event evolve over time. 

What makes you so passionate about the organization?

Before joining the board I was the first male presenter at the Professional Women’s Group (PWG). That was a very rewarding experience and part of why I’m very passionate about being involved with Dress for Success Vancouver. A lot of their clients have had negative experiences with men but at the end of the day women have to interact with men in workplace. 

If DFS Vancouver can expose its clients to men in a positive light, I think that’s a real good thing. That’s one thing that keeps me motivated to help, to be one of those people that our clients see once in a while, so they do see that there are nice guys out there. Since then I’ve attended a couple of PWG meetings as a guest.

How long have you been on the board?

I’ve been on the board for 3.5 years now, I’ve volunteered for 7.

We’ve seen a lot of change in the last couple of years with Jennifer stepping in in what was a tough situation. I was able to help out in the office during that transition and do some day to day work to keep them going. It’s been a delight to see Jennifer and rest of the team make it through that transition so well. I think it’s really amazing to see. 

How did you end up joining the board?

I didn’t expect to be on the board at all. Deborah Twocock had approached me about it when I was still at PwC. I was travelling all the time and wasn’t in town enough to devote to it. Interestingly enough, about 4 years ago I was diagnosed with colon cancer and had time off work to re-evaluate a few things. I realized I didn’t want to be living out of hotels anymore. 

I left PwC and it afforded me the ability to do things like volunteer on the board. When I got myself established at Coast Underwriters I called up Deb and was happy to become more involved. 

Are there any events that you look forward to the most?

Something that has been very rewarding to witness is the growth of the fall luncheon. Not that I have  had any part in putting it together, but it was certainly nice to see that come together and it’s a real positive event.  

I’m excited to see the boutique renovation too! I’ve been kind of a face of the board around the office. I’m the guy that signs check so I’ve spent a fair bit of time in the boutique.

Any favourite activities that you enjoy doing as part of the board?

Having a hand in setting the direction of the organization is very rewarding. In the last couple of years we’ve tweaked the core values of the organization and that for me is nice to see. Having been part of that discussion, having the staff involved, and really being able to see that come to life. It is more than just words, the notion that we’re empowering women into the workforce. To me that’s a strong statement. It’s very exciting to have a hand in crafting those things and thinking deliberately about the message we’re trying to send. It’s less about being on the board and more about volunteering. 

What’s the most rewarding part of the work you’re doing?

The most rewarding thing for me is seeing clients even though I don’t get to see them a lot. Whether it’s past or present clients coming to Impact, at PWG, or in and around the office. Actually seeing the people that this organization assists is tremendously rewarding; it reinforces why we do this. 

Being on the board we’re kind of removed, we don’t necessary see the people who are benefiting from the effort. For me, getting those opportunities while limited really reinforces why this is such an important organization. 

How do you feel about the direction of the organization? 

I’m really excited about where we’re going. The clothing sales that we’ve only started in the last couple of years have been a tremendous success. It’s given us an extra degree of financial stability that we didn’t have previously. I’m pleased with that since I tend to think about the numbers side of things. 

When I first joined the board I was a bit worried because our financial picture was not super great and I worried about money a lot with the organization. In the last couple of years we’ve shored it up and I don’t worry about it as much! We always need more money because that never stops being an issue, but it doesn’t concern me like it did a few years ago. 

Do you have a favourite memory from 7 years of volunteering?

My favourite memory was being able to present at the PWG. That was really the first time I interacted with clients in any significant way and after the meeting so many women wanted to chat with me and pick my brain. I use to do HR and did a session on interviewing skills. I was nervous because I was told that they’d never had a man present before, I was worried about how the clients would react. The gratitude afterwards was almost overwhelming. People were just so pleased, it was really touching to see how appreciative the ladies were. 

I stayed well over an hour after the session was done with a group of ladies who wanted to chat. I think we might have gotten tossed out of the room. That was really the moment I went “wow, this place is doing good stuff!”

Do you have any last thoughts on the organization?

It’s amazing when I think about the fact that it’s been 15 years! I’ve been somewhat involved for half of that time and for me it’s just been a privilege to be one of handful of men fortunate enough to be involved with Dress for Success Vancouver. http://dfsvancouver.org/impact/

A Few Good Men: Ed Des Roche, Owner of Plum Clothing

As Dress for Success Vancouver celebrates its 15th year of operation, we couldn't forget about the men behind DFS Vancouver who have supported us over the years. The first spotlight in our 'A Few Good Men' series is Ed Des Roche, owner of Plum Clothing. Ed was our first official retail and corporate sponsor the year we opened, and graciously continues to sponsor us today. Over the years Ed has sat on our Board of Directors and has generously gifted gift cards and support to the organization. 

How did you start getting involved with Dress for Success Vancouver?

Astrid spoke to me before she started Dress for Success in Vancouver. We’d never met before so it was a cold call. She told me about her ideas for DFS Vancouver and it sounded interesting so I said I would help as a sponsor. 

Was there a reason why it spoke to you?

Dress for Success Vancouver sounded like something that would appeal to my customers. We put some parameters around sponsorship for our company because we were being approached for support from many organizations. Big Sisters and DFS Vancouver matched perfectly with what we thought our customers would support. 

How does it feel to be a sponsor for 15 years?

It feels pretty good! It’s a good organization. We’ve played different roles throughout the years, we’ve always sponsored but we were also a drop off depot at our stores for a while. It didn’t work too well for us because people would just come by with bags of stuff and it was hard for my staff to do their work. Now we do clothing drives over shorter periods of time so we’re prepared for it. 

Any standout moments from 15 years of being involved?

I served on the board for a while and that was interesting. I had a strong relationship with Deb. Astrid is quite a dynamo and she is hell bent on making the organization work. 

What’s the most rewarding part of this work?

Clothing and fashion is strongly tied to confidence for women in particular. It’s been a part of our DNA as a company because Plum pays special attention to customers who are more or less shy about fashion and feel insecure. Our staff are trained to make them feel more secure and help them dress appropriately. Dress for Success Vancouver is basically the same thing except they’re dealing with women who have huge potential but their one impediment is gaining the confidence to apply for work.

Clothing is very important and Dress for Success Vancouver recognizes that. The principal is the same as our company so they completely align. DFS Vancouver often takes clients from low points and helps to leverage them up to a point where they feel good about themselves and have enough confidence to start again. That’s a very short and interesting story to tell, it’s easy to understand. 

What was your experience like sitting on the board?

Ii was often the only male at meetings for Dress for Success Vancouver and I found it interesting, I learned a lot. I learned how female board works and there are some differences from one that is primarily males but it was mostly similar. Most board challenges are the same. It was a big learning experience.

Was there something in particular you were passionate about during your time on the board?

I am particularly interested in how the organization could appeal to sponsors. I felt there was a lot more the organization could do, the story is a good story and easy to tell. I feel like there is probably unrealized potential for the organization.

Do you have anymore thoughts or comments on the future of the organization?

I think it’s got a huge potential for growth.

Thank you for your continued support Ed!

From Cashier to Cheque Runs, Client Spotlight: June Lin

As soon as I sat down with June Lin to chat about her experiences at Dress for Success Vancouver, I was immediately struck by her positive energy and exceptionally welcoming presence. Even after a long day of work, June was enthusiastic and happily shared her story of settling into her dream life after a decade of working menial low level jobs.

How did you get involved with Dress for Success Vancouver?

It happened 3.5 years ago. When I was going to school I was collecting EI and the student loans office introduced me to the Face of Work program (FW), which had a case manager to help you with your resume. When I had an interview, the FW program put me in contact with Dress for Success Vancouver where I got my first outfit for the interview. I didn’t get the job but I didn’t stop. I did it for 7 months.

Can you share a little more of your back story?

Originally I’m from Hong Kong where I was a secretary, but it was hard to get into the same field here because they wanted local experience. I had all the certificates from Hong Kong in hand but they were all looking for local courses, certificates, and experience, I almost wanted to ask “if you don’t hire me how will I get the experience?”

When I first came here I didn’t have any plans for my career, I just wanted to learn everything. I went to school and took english classes as well as BCIT to take interior design and graphic design. I took criminology too but my english wasn’t good enough yet so I took 3 years to finish my english program. 

I had no problem getting a cashier or sales job. I was working at the Salvation Army as a cashier and sales associate for 3 years before I had to quit and go back to Hong Kong. I went back to visit my mom because she was sick. After she passed way, I took 3 months to take care of her things. 

When I came back to Vancouver I started thinking about what I should do because I had already been in Vancouver for 13-14 years when I left (it will be 20 years this year in May). I thought ‘what would I need to do if I want a clerical job?’ I made a decision and took Business Administration at Sprott Shaw College and got a certificate. It wasn’t easy!

What happened after?

I didn’t dream about getting a job right away because I needed local experience. I stopped applying for cashiers and lower lever positions because even though I would be able to do the work, I wanted an office job. After 7 months I had to repay my student loans so I got a job at Target. I worked there for 4 months in the back room doing physical work. It motivated me to think "I can get the job I want." My mom wanted me to be happy so I kept thinking “now that I have my certificate I cannot give up.” When I got home from work I worked on my resume.

After 7-8 months of doing this I kept thinking “don’t think about the time or how many resumes I’ve sent out, one day it will work out.” I know what I want at my age, I want a stable job. I can be a stable cashier but I wanted to use my knowledge and do something that I love. 

If I gave up I would’ve gone back home but I love living here so what could I do? I just did my best. I didn’t want to be a cashier or go back on EI. I wanted to work in a bigger and better place. It took me a couple more months but it’s okay, I got what I wanted.

What gave you the motivation to keep going and not give up?

I grew up with a single mom who always said if I’m not happy then she won’t be. My mom knew that if she asked me to stay in Hong Kong I wouldn’t leave, but she knew that if she did that I wouldn’t be happy. 

Sometimes after work I would cry and talk to my mom and she would say “just keep looking, you’re working right now.” In Hong Kong I never worked that hard. Sometimes I would cry at work but I was never late or missed any work. If I can’t be serious in a small job, I can’t be serious in a big job. 

I didn’t think it was a waste of time, I thought of it as training for my patience, for my strength, and for my whining. It wasn’t easy. 

What do you do now?  

I work in Accounts Payable at a property management company. 

Tell us about your new job

In January 2014 I got a call from a property management company for a support administration position on a one year contract, of course I said yes! It was the base job - uploading documents and some mailing in the afternoon. I did my best and my boss appreciated it. When she hired me she asked why I was right for the role, I said “I’m not looking for a job, I’m looking for a career.” It made her think that this is the lady who she was looking for. 

In September, I received an email from HR about a permanent position in Accounts Payable. Since I had my certificate and experience working in the accounting department in Hong Kong I thought “it’s nothing new if they don’t hire me” so I just sent my resume. After a few days they contacted me and asked me to come in for an interview. 

Everything started from a contract position to a permanent role which I started in October. It’s been 5 months and I’m learning a lot of accounting suff. I’m learning all the programs, how to do payables, and doing the cheque run every week. It's quite challenging.

How do you feel now that you have a permanent job?

Settled is the feeling that I have; I don’t really need to worry about losing the contract or wondering where I’ll be. I haven’t stop learning, I feel that I still need to learn because I’m learning at the job but I feel settled.

Did Dress for Success Vancouver help you with your job search? 

After they found out I had an interview they said ‘bring your resume’ and they helped me look at it. All the tips they gave me were so helpful. The mock interview felt real, I was so nervous. It took a lot of practice until one day I just felt comfortable going to interviews. 

How did you end up joining the Professional Women's Group program?

Lucia asked me if I wanted to join the PWG program because I had just gotten a job.

What has your experience with the PWG program been like?

I didn’t know what to expect, the second week in I went on a picnic. Every week they have career boosters like how to deal with displeasure or how to use colour to match your clothing. Another time they had a workshop on how to use a computer and taught us how to manage our time.

When people were sharing their stories at PWG they don’t attribute it to religion but they’re so thankful and grateful, it’s very inspiring. These women say during their whole life they fail, they feel used until they got to DFS Vancouver. They can face all the sadness and failure because so many people were there before and went through that and now they’re successful. That time made them even stronger. 

How has Dress for Success Vancouver helped you get to where you are today?

Confidence. 

When I hear so many positive things, words, and people who appreciated me, it gave me great confidence. I don’t know the people at DFS Vancouver but they trained me to speak to people at work and it helps me get along with people much easier. 

What’s one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned from this experience?

One thing I learned is patience, patience will build confidence. When I got the job I was nervous and scared because everything was brand new to me. But because I had patience built up from my search I just picked up everything because I really concentrated.  

What advice would you give someone else struggling?

Don’t put yourself into a negative spot because there are so many choices in life. I thought “If I cannot get there, I can still work but I might not be in the career I want,” which is okay. You have to say something to yourself that’s positive, you can’t say ‘if I don’t get a job my life is finished.” Positive thinking is very important.

What really helped you through the rough times?

I have my religion, I pray all the time but sometimes sharing is good. Telling other people “I’m upset right now because the interview i just went to I really want the job, but they’ll probably turn me down.” Let it out, when you get release you can start over again. Just don’t give up. 

I went to interviews and heard no 10-20 times, if I gave up I wouldn’t be here. 

What do you want people to know about Dress for Success Vancouver?

The clothing is a really small part of DFS Vancouver; It’s really about the people helping you look for a job, the specialists - the people who spend time practising your interview with you. The interview and resume practice were more important. It’s a consistent program, you just have to put down your name to join and it’s very helpful.

They helped me figure out how to send out resumes. The specialists understand the market and how to help. They said that by putting 80% of my resumes in receptionist positions, I wasn’t getting a broader variety of job offers.

Any last thoughts?

My office used to be on Hornby St. but we recently moved across the street from Dress for Success Vancouver! I just got married, and I feel settled.

A Blast From the Past: Dress For Success Vancouver Founder Astrid Levelt

As we gear up to celebrate our 15th anniversary in March, we had the pleasure of speaking with Astrid Levelt, the founder of Dress For Success Vancouver. With the energy and passion of a natural born leader emanating from her voice, Astrid shares fond memories of the organization's early days. From the feeling she got the first time she met a client to the reasons why the organization is so successful, read on to find out more about the woman who started it all. 

15 years of Dress for Success Vancouver! How does it feel?

It’s pretty exceptional, I’m so thrilled. 

What do you attribute to its success?

The success and longevity of the organization really comes down to the commitment of the early volunteers. It goes back to having a small group of dedicated volunteers right at the outset who did all the hard work such as sorting clothes and setting things up. 

What were some of the amazing things the early volunteers did?

A woman at the first meeting said that one of most important things in developing a non-profit is having really amazing volunteers. She volunteered to develop the training manual for our volunteers. We counselled and trained all of them. There was mandatory training before they could even talk to clients or sort clothes. That’s how comprehensive it was.

What gave you the inspiration to start Dress For Success Vancouver?

It was August of the year before we opened. I saw a TV show interviewing Nancy Lublin about Dress For Success; it reminded me of when I lost a job a few years earlier and my mom took me out and bought me new clothes. She bought me three new outfits and I remember how great I felt. At the time there were 26 programs in the US and Vancouver became number 27 when we opened our doors fives months later.

Full circle moment: All three of those outfits were subsequently donated to Dress For Success Vancouver.

Why did you start the organization?

I’d always enjoyed doing volunteer work but hadn’t always found the work to be as rewarding as it could’ve been. I wanted to create a place that was about creating a great experience for everyone involved. A great volunteer experience was very important. People have volunteered in places that were short lived because they don’t always feel appreciated or don’t feel that the work is as rewarding as it could be. 

I’ve always felt that Dress For Success Vancouver is something in between serving food in a soup kitchen and being a big brother or sister, those are two extremes. Dress For Success Vancouver allows you to help 4-5 people a day and anything you can do for them they feel gratitude. Then there’s something that’s engaging about it and makes people feel great about themselves. 

What was it like starting the organization?

We had our first meeting in December 1999 and opened our doors in February 2000. Going from concept to opening our doors in 7 weeks is unbelievable. It’s all because of hard work and amazing volunteers, some dragged their husbands in to build change rooms. My dad built the original change rooms and my mom and I painted the walls. I begged, borrowed, and stole clothing racks. Plum clothing was our first contributor and they’re still helping to this day.

You started with nothing and opened your doors in 7 weeks. How did you manage to do it?

I called together some friends and friends of friends and invited about 20 people to a wine and cheese I hosted at my parent’s house. People whom I didn’t know well and some whom I’d never met came to that. I told them “here’s my idea and here’s what I want to do.” 

I approached a Catholic priest that I knew and asked for space. He found us space on Main & 12th at St. Patricks Parish. We started off in the bedrooms of four nuns: 2 rooms for clothing, 1 for accessories and 1 change room. We literally started with four 12x12 spaces and built it up to what it is today.

When you started did you know it would be this successful?

No. I could not have predicted what Dress For Success Vancouver could've achieved or the thousands of people it could've helped.

Can you tell us about the early days?

If I was volunteer #1, my mom was volunteer #2. We didn’t have an online booking system because we had no internet access. We only had a cell phone so our booking system was two volunteers - my mom and another woman taking turns taking bookings daily. The bookings opened at 4pm and people could call in and book appointments.

We started with two member agencies - agencies who refer clients to us. In the early days we didn’t know what we didn’t know. They told us what we needed to know in order to build a better program and gave us other ideas as it evolved.

When we started we kept 80% of the clothes we got because we didn’t have a lot of donors. We had a small network of donors and no volunteer turnover, they came and stayed. 

As per Executive Director Jennifer Halinda "we keep about 60% now and re-donate clothes to WISH Society and Big Brothers. We also hold 3 clothing sales a year of vintage designer wear and all proceeds go back into our programs."

How did you feel when you met your first client?

The first time meeting a client face-to-face and helping them find suits was such an unbelievable feeling. Clients walked in unsure of what they’re getting into, they didn’t know what to expect and weren’t feeling great about themselves. In the early days they walked out in the clothes they selected; they walked taller and looked happier, it was such a neat experience.

What was the turning point in the organization?

As I mentioned my mom was one of two people taking bookings. By 6 months we couldn’t handle the work and we knew we needed to hire but had no money. I was able to rally $5000 from Dress For Success worldwide which was just enough to fund someone to work 10-15 hours. That person was Deborah Twocock. She was able to work 10 hours a week from her home office and gradually worked up her hours to become full time. 

Deb played a huge part in the way Dress For Success Vancouver was built and sustained. She made people feel valued, like they were the single most important thing to the organization’s success. One of my biggest accolades in starting the organization was being able to hire Deborah Twocock. 

Can you tell us a little bit about Deb?

Deb was amazing at developing relationships, in fact many networks and relationships developed in Canada can be attributed to Deb’s great work. She was a well respected member of the worldwide network which includes receiving the Nancy Lublin Award. 

She’s been there from the beginning until she lost her battle to cancer. She passed away in April 2014 and my mother passed away in December 2013. My mom was a standout presence at Dress For Success Vancouver as well as Deb.

We opened our doors on February 2, 2000 and Deb’s daughter was born in March 2000. We’ve been able to track the success and growth of Dress For Success Vancouver through Deb’s daughter, Maddy.

How long were you with the organization before you stepped away?

I was there for six years and I still get clothes delivered to my house to this day. Founders have a very important role to play but one of most important roles they have to remember is when to get out and let the organization establish its own growth. It’s very important that founders know when to leave. I felt that there was a good board in place, Deb was well positioned to lead the organization and take it to its next level. 

Was it a difficult decision to leave?

No! Intuitively I just felt like it was the right thing to do. It had its own identity and it wasn’t my organization. It was the right thing to do. Throughout the organization’s history I’ve continued to attend events and support Dress For Success Vancouver. 

Do you have any hopes or wishes for the next 15 years?

I don’t pretend to know all their future plans but my hope is that it can continue to provide a wonderful experience for clients and volunteers.

Any full circle moments?

One is when we first created the Professional Women’s Group. The program came about because we started seeing clients coming back 3 months after they had gotten a job and were being re-referred to us. Some of the women were not surviving through their probationary period. A lot of agencies help people get jobs but no one was in the business of helping them keep their jobs. We found that there were basic things missing in people’s lives, that if they didn’t have a continuous history of employment they would be missing some of the soft skills of working in an office. 

It happened in the early days during one of the first meetings. A woman had just started her job and she brought in her pay cheque. She held it up proudly and said she needed to show us her pay cheque before she would even deposit it. 

Another is watching people grow and the vital role that Dress for Success Vancouver played. Not only did they get a job through dressing and retain their job through the employment side, there was a life changing aspect to it that was so important. It impacted their children and families because these women became role models for their children. They were productive, contributing, financial providers. What an amazing thing Dress For Success Vancouver has been able to achieve and create such an impact on society.

Are you involved with any initiatives today?

I still do volunteer work, things that make people feel great. My latest project is supporting women in feeling great by donating unused cosmetics and skin care supply packs. Every woman has some unused cosmetics lying around. 

The project is just starting and we're planning to support single mom groups like those at YWCA and Union Gospel Mission. I’ve found that when women have any money left over, they usually spend money on their children but never themselves. We're holding cosmetic drives twice a year, packaging and redistributing unused cosmetics and skin care. 

Can you share one of your most cherished memories?

One of my lasting legacies is my relationship with Deb. My husband and I ended up being very involved with Deb’s care, she was very special to us both. Dress For Success Vancouver did a big event for Deb and it was such an amazing way to honour her.

Volunteer Spotlight: Christina Stewart

“You can’t help but have an enormous amount of admiration for these women. Who better to represent the cause than someone who has that fierceness, that tenacity? Someone who continues to rebuild when everything has been stripped away” stated Christina Stewart with intention ablaze in her eyes. With an infectious energy and striking confidence, Christina’s undeniable passion for helping women is apparent when she shares her stories from her four year tenor at Dress for Success Vancouver.

What is your role at Dress for Success Vancouver?

I’m a Lead Consultant; I support other consultants, by making sure shifts run smoothly or I revoke issues with clients. If any consultant is faced with a difficult client, that’s when they pull me in to help them through that. An hour goes by really quickly and I don’t want anyone to ever think “this is an awful program” and evaluate every other program we have to offer based on a bad experience.

I support them with public speaking engagements where I inform different agencies (Immigrant Services Society, BCIT, etc.) about the services that Dress for Success Vancouver has to offer. I also built the volunteer training program and bootcamps for volunteers so that everyone is marching to the same drum. 

How did you get involved with the training program?

A year ago Jennifer wanted to start a training program and part of what I do for a living is training people. I just tried to set some parameters in the beginning. We now have an image consultant who comes in to lead the sessions. 

What is the outcome of the training program or bootcamp?

It provides consistency in how consultants are interacting with clients. Women from all walks of life come in. Some women have never held a job or are coming in from an abusive relationship. They have been second class citizens their whole lives so when we say ‘you deserve this hour’ women look at you like they’ve never seen themselves before. We make sure that everyone is treated the same way regardless of which area of life they’re coming from.

We remind our volunteers that everyone is an individual, so everyone is treated with compassion and in an individual manner. The Golden Rule is treat others how you want to be treated. The Platinum Rule is treat others how THEY want to be treated. That’s how we set up the program, dignity and respect come first.  

How did you get involved with Dress for Success Vancouver?

I was donating clothes to Dress for Success and I thought “this might be something I can be very good at.” I don’t do it for myself but to feel like I had a place in that person’s life, it completes you in some small way and reminds you to be grateful. There’s a real sense of fulfillment to be able to help someone down that path, especially when you’ve been very fortunate in your life and you forget to count your small blessings. 

Sometimes you get up in the morning and you’re having a bad hair day and it could be so much worse. It's such small concerns compared to not having a job, not knowing how to deal with an interview, not knowing how to take care of your children. A lot of women who come through the doors deal with that everyday.

Why Dress for Success Vancouver?

I raised boys and I have always been involved with different charities like the Variety Club, but being a single mom at a young age I was looking for something female oriented. I was going through University with a 2 year old, if there was a program like this for me my life would’ve been so much easier. 

I was hooked after my first shift, I felt so good about it. The people who come through the doors are genuine women who are looking for a change and we can certainly help given the opportunity. You effect change in women in one hour as long as they put that hour in. 

What do you find most fulfilling about working with Dress for Success Vancouver?

It crosses a lot of different things. Personally, it reminds me that no matter how bad of a day I’m having, things could be worse. It’s also the sense of well being that you get knowing that you helped someone feel that much better about themselves, and helping instil that confidence in them. 

Seeing the change you can effect in them with a few kind words. You see a woman come in with her shoulders hunched, she’s down on her self. When she leaves, she leaves with empowerment. I can feel it for a month. Just from a hug. She’s going to project that into her next interview. 

What's it like being a consultant?

We have to do a lot of listening when we’re there. If you’re listening with someone as a team, it’s not a one-sided effort. It’s a joint effort with you and the client. It’s a process. It’s not you telling them what to do. It’s you marrying what you feel is appropriate. 

Has this experience changed or inspired you in any way?

It has definitely made me more patient, it’s increased my ability to be empathetic and to understand. I’m a very A-type personality but it makes me slow down and consider other people. That’s not always something that we do. 

What is your biggest takeaway from the program?

You never know what a few kind words or how a smile can change someone’s day.

Any words of advice for someone going through a tough situation?

Don’t give up. Tomorrow is always a new day. A good sleep and a good cry usually fix everything. 

Always try to look at the bright side because no matter what, no matter how bad it is it could always be worse. Ask yourself where is that silver lining? 

Whatever happens it’s always a lesson. It might not always been a good lesson but it’s always a lesson. As long as we learn that lesson, something good has come out of it. 

Do you have any advice for the women going back into the job market?

Keep your strengths in mind. There are times we have to do things that we don’t want to do or it’s not the right fit but keep an open mind. If you have the luxury of picking and choosing, keep who you are and what you’re good at, then play with your strengths. 

What would you say to someone who feels like they don’t have strengths? 

We all have strengths. Sometimes we forget and it can be something as simple as being able to make someone feel good about themselves or make them laugh in the face of adversity. It’s a skill. Ask “what’s the one thing that I do that is special” because we all have that. Women need to cut themselves some slack.

Being kind to ourselves is hard especially if you’ve been beaten down by life. But if you’re not kind to yourself then no one else will be. It has to start with that self love. 

Do you have a favourite client success story that sticks out to you?

A woman who had an interview the next day showed up. She didn’t know she wasn’t suppose to bring her children. She had 3 boys that were 8, 5 and 18 months, and they were not well behaved. We said “you weren’t told not to bring your children, but this hour is about you. If you give us one solid hour you can change THEIR lives. You need to put this one hour in.” She came back 3 weeks later, had gotten a job and came back without the kids. She said “by giving you the hour, I’ve changed my kids lives.”

I started to cry because she listened. I know how difficult it is to raise children as a single mom but she gave us that hour, she can now take care of her children. That woman said “it’s because of you that I got the job. You made me feel so good when I walked out of there because I felt powerful & confident.” We aim to give that to every woman that walks in here. To give them personal power and to project everything that they are. When you tell someone that they look like a million dollars they feel it. Because they do look like a million dollars.

Why did this client affect you so much?

Because she truly heard the message. She was a difficult appointment; it was a last minute appointment, she was hard to size and there were so many odds stacked against this woman from getting a job. The fact that she took the time to listen to the advice that was worth the paper it was written on, It meant something to her. She took the advice and made it work for her. Just in that one little hour, it was a couple of heartfelt words that made a difference. 

Every week you are hit by one person who hits your soul, by a background story or they come back just to sit and talk because they know you generally work on a Thursday. Here was this woman who was having a bad day because she looks at you and she’s got tears in your eye and she just wants somebody to listen. It can be as short as 5 mins to be empathic because I haven’t walked a mile in her shoes and I can’t say I understand, but I can listen and sometimes thats all they need is for someone to sit in a non-judgemental role and listen. 

What is something we wouldn’t know about Dress for Success Vancouver?

They’re tracking the number of women who’ve gotten a job and come back for a second interview suiting. Almost 30% of the women who come in for one suiting end up getting a job and come in again. Even a 5% difference is a 5% difference. 

We’re best known for our dressing services but we have a fantastic career centre which is staffed by many volunteers from HR backgrounds. The services of the PWG are above and beyond is absolutely amazing. And its all free. We don’t get any government funding. 

What’s a common misconception about the organization?

That we’re just about interview suiting. We get woman in, put on an outfit and they’re out the door. There's a lot more to it. If you’ve ever dealt with a woman it’s not easy putting a woman in the outfit. It’s about making a woman feel comfortable and appropriate.

What’s the most difficult issue consultants deal with on a regular basis?

Body issue or the perception of who the woman is when they look in the mirror. When clothes don’t fit a woman they internalize that as ‘theres something wrong with my body.’ It’s not about the body, it’s about the clothes. So what if these don’t fit, it’s the clothes.

The biggest breakdown comes when they they look in mirror and don’t like what they see, and you have one hour to try and change that. We are not psychologists but the women most successful are good at reading people. They have an innate ability to cut through surface objections and get at the root of the problem. 

What would a client be surprised to learn about you?

I’m a grandmother, she’s 5. I was a single mom at 17 and I came from a family of haves. When I got pregnant at a young age and was made fully responsible and accountable it made me tough, but my life experience made me strong. There is a difference between the two.

You develop a toughness when the chips are against you because you have to climb out of the hole you’re in. The strength comes from the lessons you develop along the way. Sometimes you don’t have a choice but to fight but it’s better to be strong because you have longevity in strength. 

What do you like to do outside of volunteering?

I’m a Business Development Manager for AMEX and it’s a very very busy job. I love spending time with grand daughter. I use to be a skater at a national level, I sail, travel, paddle board! I don’t sit still. 

What would you like to see change, progress, or improve from DFS?

They’re working towards that now by monitoring the statistics. The leadership in place is taking a vision and putting a parameter around it by having everyone march to the same drum. They’re not just talking the talk, they’re walking the walk. We’re definitely moving in the right direction.

Communication has gotten substantially better. The seven dying words of any organization is “we’ve always done it this way.” We’re seeing a new executive director come in and move the organization forward and making it her own because she has a passion to make it her own. It’s not a job, it’s a passion. How could you now want to work with that?

Any last thoughts about Dress for Success Vancouver or the people involved?

Everyone who I’ve met has a real passion for being there. It’s not a sense of obligation, they’re there because they want to be. It’s a great organization that helps women and lifts them up. One woman came in and said “I can’t believe I’m here for a hand out.” It’s not hand out, it’s a hand up. What they choose to do with what we give them is up to them. But it’s a hand up.

What’s the difference between the two?

1. Hand out - it comes and it’s there and it’s easy.

2. Hand up - it isn’t an easy process because you have to deal with numerous issues, like a woman’s body issues. What’s the first thing you see when you look in the mirror? Everything that’s wrong with you. It’s about helping a women get over all that first and helping them understand that they're perfect exactly the way they are.

Volunteer Spotlight: Cara Low

A gentle spirit with a passion for coaching others, Cara has been volunteering with Dress for Success Vancouver for nearly 3 years. After a short stint as a stylist, Cara almost thought she wasn't a fit for the organization before she found her perfect role as a Career Specialist.

Read on to find out more about Cara's passion for mentorship.

How did you get involved with Dress for Success Vancouver?

I actually saw it on a fashion blog. The blogger posted about sorting for Dress for Success Vancouver and she talked about what they did. I was looking for a way to be more involved with the community so I Googled it and thought it sounded really interesting. Originally I went in for a stylist position not knowing they had a Career Centre. I styled for two shifts and honestly felt like I wasn't cheery enough!I didn't know if it was the best fit for me so I asked if there were other things I could get involved with. I studied sociology and psychology and minored in counselling, and I had a certificate from Douglas College for career development. It’s something I always had an interest in so the Career Specialist role was perfect.

What do you as a Career Specialist?

As a Career Specialist I work in a variety of different areas. The ladies indicate what they need assistance with and we go from there:

- Mock interviews

- Cover letter and resume review

- General tips for job interviews and job search strategies 

- Navigating the job search process

At the Career Centre we focus on normalizing the stress and anxiety from being out of work and going for job interviews. We acknowledge that there are a lot of uncertainties with putting yourself out there. I also helped recruit the marketing and sales interns for their events. 

Why Dress for Success Vancouver?

It's always important to coach and empower people. The idea of doing that for lower income or more vulnerable women is even more important. It’s easy to help someone with a lot of resources, I see value in helping someone in a more difficult position succeed.

The coaching is for the women but by extension we help the kids because it's really important for their kids to have a positive role model. It's a bigger thing than helping someone find a job, it's helping them to be self sufficient and to provide for their families.

Where does your passion for mentorship come from?

A combination of me growing up and struggling with different things, that’s when I started volunteering at the Vancouver Crisis Centre (where Cara still volunteers). I just wanted to be able to help other people because it felt like the right thing to do other than dwelling on myself. It helps you learn empathy for other people if you’ve gone through different situations. It’s just a way to give back and keep growing.

I'm very appreciative of the people who have been a positive role model for me. Those key people gave me the support to explore different things and to know that it was okay to be unsure. It reminds me to do something with what I have instead of sitting back.

What do you find most fulfilling about working with Dress for Success Vancouver?

What I enjoy most in my role is seeing the clients after the appointment. They start out unsure and scared but by the end they’re very comfortable putting themselves out there. It’s not always the case but they usually feel better knowing that their experiences are important. Before the meeting they don't know they had skills or thought their skills weren’t worth anything. It's cool to see that change within the appointment.

What would a client be surprised to learn about you?

They probably don’t realize that I’m nervous going into the appointment too because I don’t necessary know what I’ll be helping them with. I always feel better knowing they found the appointment helpful on some level.

Has this experience changed or inspired you in any way?

It reminds me of things I can change when I’m in a tough situation. You see these women who are able to change their circumstances and change their life. From my last job as a probation officer I saw people who had negative friends or parents who didn’t support them in getting a job or finishing high school. I understand how hard it can be to change your life if you don’t have positive people in your life. 

Dress for Success Vancouver supports women because it’s hard to make that change on your own especially if you don’t have family or friends for support. Some of the women have friends who tell them it’s too hard to find a job or ask “why get a job?” We’re here to support those women by saying “it’s not easy to get a job but it’s possible.” For me it’s bigger than just a job, it’s not just about the money but about contributing to society. It’s to show and model to your kids that it’s empowering to work. 

What motivates you when you’re going through a tough situation?

Knowing that things do get better even if you don’t think they will on any level. It gets better. It’s also about framing your situation and looking at it as an opportunity to learn instead of looking at a difficult time as a permanent situation. 

Any words of advice for someone going through a tough situation?

Respect yourself enough to do something about a situation if it’s not working out. You don’t have to be a victim. You have the power to change your mind set about it but you have to look at yourself as well and what you’re doing. You can’t always focus on other people. I see that a lot in appointments where they focus a lot on the interviewer or things that are beyond their control. It’s never going to be easy but you can make things easier if you’re willing to focus on things you can change rather than focusing on things you can’t change. You don’t always get that unless someone introduces the idea to you.

Do you have any advice for the women going back into the job market?

I try to normalize the feeling of discomfort. I tell them it’s normal to feel uncomfortable looking for a job and putting yourself out there. Everyone goes through that. Often I hear “it’s easy for other people” but it’s not. I would be nervous, I would be stressed and I would be scared of being judged. They think it’s only them but I would have all those feelings too. If they focus on it to much, they can’t do more. 

You don’t have to put the pressure on yourself to find the one job that is going to be perfect. I tell them it’s okay to try different things and see what you like or don’t like, to meet different people and to build connections which will help you land your next job. It’s not a linear situation where you go from one job and move up in that field.

Do you have a favourite client success story that sticks out to you?

There’s one client I’ve worked with a few times. I remember her being really excited because she thought she was going to get a job. The interview went well and they told her she was pretty much going to get the job after they called her references but they just never called them. 

She went from putting a great amount of effort into the job search and being close to securing a job to not getting it after all. She kept applying despite feeling sad and disappointed and eventually got a job. I was so happy and proud of her because if it had been earlier on she probably would have just given up. It’s so easy to feel down about it especially when you’re so close. 

She said she could’ve easily given up, easily thought “why would they tell me that? Maybe people lie.” She thought she would think all those things but the encouragement from the volunteers at Dress for Success Vancouver kept her going. 

Has this experience taught you anything?

It reminds me that there are people out there that want to help other people. It’s so easy to focus on the negatives in our society because there are a lot of negative things that happen in life, in the news, and in our day to day. It reminds me that there are people who just want to help, they don’t want anything from it. They don’t want money and they don’t expect anything from the clients.

Most surprising thing about Dress for Success Vancouver?

I thought it was just about clothes and individuals donating clothes, I didn’t realize there was the Professional Women’s Group or the Career Centre. It’s actually a really large organization with a lot of women involved in it. There are so many volunteers I haven’t even met, it just shows how many people volunteer with them. 

I also didn’t realize that there were so many corporate sponsors they did outreach with. They have a lot of companies donating clothes and suits and that’s pretty cool. 

What do you like to do outside of volunteering?

I love staying at home and hanging out with my husband and having friends over. I love home decor, design, and crafts. I love sewing. I’m happy just being really low key.

Any last thoughts about Dress for Success Vancouver or the people involved?

Seeing the staff working so well together for a common purpose is really cool. It’s not easy being a non-profit organization but they’re doing something they’re really passionate about and something that is purposeful.

I love talking to Sandy and Lucia, I just think it’s really cool what they do. It’s a challenging job so to see them plugging away, engaging with volunteers and connecting with people is amazing.

Inspired? Are you a career professional who wants to give back to the community as a career specialist? Contact Dress for Success Vancouver for volunteer opportunities.

Success Luncheon: Deepika Gupta Tells her Personal Story

A former participant in Dress for Success Vancouver's Professional Women's Group, Deepika Gupta's path has shaped her into a strong, successful woman who is looking to give back. 

On October 29, she shared her inspiring journey at Dress for Success Vancouver’s 2nd Success Luncheon, hosted at the Pan Pacific Vancouver hotel. Over 200 guests were in attendance for an afternoon filled with speakers, networking opportunities, and stories like Deepika’s own. Read her empowering speech below! 

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Good afternoon everyone. My name is Deepika Gupta and I’m honoured to be a part of the Success Luncheon panel amongst these inspiring women.

I was born in India amidst a lot of institutional barriers which are a trademark in Indian society. I grew up in a very traditional family where money was never a problem but dreams were. Dreams were never regarded anything more than illusions but my father always tried to convert every dream of mine to reality. He taught me this important lesson: “Get the treasure of education. You never know when adversity will hit. You never know when life will go wrong. If you ever face hard times, education pays off. It’s the only thing that people can’t steal.” So in spite of a lot of resentment from other family members, I did my Masters in finance.

Shortly after that, my father fell ill and lost his life to Cancer. I lost my lucky charm. Nothing went right after that.

I married a businessman and hoped for happier times. A few months later, I became pregnant and then my husband’s business collapsed. We were devastated. I fell into a deep depression and it led to further complications in my delivery.

When the baby was born, we didn’t have enough money to pay for medical expenses and asking my family for help was not an option. So I decided to start up my own business to take care of my son. This brought a lot of disgrace to my family, only because I was a girl.

I continued to work and became the single breadwinner. Since my husband’s family helped with the business, I took them into our home. As a family, I wanted us to stay together. When you go through tough times, it’s easier to face adversity together.

However, when the business began to flourish, my husband’s family took over the business and pushed us out of the business and out of the house. I felt betrayed. Again I was homeless and had a toddler to support.

I had to start from scratch again. I lost all my positivity, all my courage. But then I was reminded of my father’s words. I had to believe in myself. Even after every challenge, I had to say to myself “I can do this.”

My education helped me land a job as a business school teacher. Within a few years, my hard work was recognized and I found myself promoted to assistant professorship. Slowly but surely I started to come out of my shell.

I took another step forward. I wanted a better future for my child so we applied to move to Canada.  When we lost everything, I lost the respect of my family. I wanted to regain that and moving to Canada would give me another chance.

Moving overseas is a big thing. It becomes difficult to adjust to new culture. I was referred to Dress for Success Vancouver and joined their Professional Women’s Group. I had never heard of something like that before, where people would help you become a part of their society. At the Professional Women’s Group, I developed many friendships and I feel like I can connect with so many people because our lives match. Today, I work as an office manager at an engineering company but I feel like it’s time for me to pursue my dream. I have started to write Princess in Disguise- a fiction novel inspired by the adversities I’ve faced in the last decade. I also want to work for female wellness and contribute to society. That’s my mandate.

In life, you should be revengeful towards your adversities by being successful. Let the adversities know that you can face them, say “I am going to prove you wrong.” The help I’ve received from Dress for Success and the women I have met from the program have inspired me to share my story. I want to encourage girls all over the world to strive hard to go to school and finish their studies. Getting an education is a treasure that can help you survive through though times in life. 

In front of you are donor cards. Please open your hearts and make a donation to support a woman like myself through the Dress for Success program. When you’re falling short of funds, you just need a single friendly hand - Dress for Success was just that. Dress for Success Vancouver empowered me. They gave me the confidence to follow my dreams and I’m grateful to be here today to share them with you. Thank you.

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Deepika is just one of the many amazing women that we at Dress for Success Vancouver get to work with. You can support a woman like her through the Dress for Success programs – to put one woman through our 18-month Professional Women’s Group aimed at career development only costs $180. To find out more about our impact, please visit dfsvancouver.org. 

SUCCESS Spotlight: Jill Schnarr, Telus

As the team at Dress for Success ramps up for the upcoming SUCCESS Luncheon on October 29, it’s hard not to be inspired by the stories of our laudable panelists. Jill Schnarr of Telus is one such example. To call Jill an overachiever would be a vast understatement. Having joined Telus in 1992, she’s held a variety of dynamic portfolios and leadership positions, rapidly progressing within and across different areas of the business. Now as VP of Community of Affairs, Jill leads leads national community investment and corporate social responsibility at TELUS.

Armed with a plethora of credentials from tops schools across the globe, Jill has been recognized within the business community as one of Canada’s Distinctive Women in 2014 and Most Influential Women in Vancouver in 2013, and has been awarded a Leadership Excellence Award in Innovation in 2011 by the Canadian Women in Communications (CWC).

Amid her numerous successes, Jill maintains a constant focus on charitable efforts. Under her leadership, TELUS was recognized as the Most Philanthropic Corporation in the World by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, and was awarded the Prime Minister’s Inaugural Volunteer Award in 2012. She also serves on the fundraising cabinet for the BC Women’s Hospital Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit.

Interested in hearing how she balances corporate achievement with a thriving family live?

Get your ticket to the annual DFS Success Luncheon, happening on October 29 at the Pan Pacific Hotel.

SUCCESS Spotlight: Nancy MacKay, MacKay CEO Forums

Vision, drive, dedication. As a leadership coach, published author, and dynamic keynote speaker, Nancy MacKay has all the right qualities for corporate success. But her insight on what it takes to run a successful company also comes with the knowledge of its many challenges. These challenges and demands are what compelled Nancy to recognize tremendous value in collaborating and learning from other equally driven leaders.

Enter MacKay CEO Forums - the highest impact peer group for CEOs across Canada. Nancy founded MacKay CEO Forums as a platform to accelerate performance through peer learning. Aimed at results-driven CEOs, the firm serves as a round table for the country’s top corporate executives and Nancy has been the driving force behind its rapid growth and member loyalty. Empowering, engaging, and educational, MacKay CEO Forums is a springboard for success at the highest levels.

Hear more of Nancy MacKay’s amazing story at the highly anticipated SUCCESS Luncheon.

Get tickets to the annual DFS Success Luncheon happening on October 29 at the Pan Pacific Hotel.