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/

Mod for a Cause: Great Deals for a Great Cause

These gorgeous Manolo Blahnik`s could be yours this weekend!

It's that time again! We are putting on our bi-annual clothing sale, and you are invited!

We receive many donations throughout the year, and for all of those, we are so very grateful! However, we are not able to use all of them in our boutique. Since we would still like to put these wonderful items to use, we are putting on a spring sale with great deals on gently used, new and designer clothing, shoes, bags, jewelry and much more! This is a fundraiser event with 100% of proceeds going back to Dress for Success Vancouver.

A sneak peek of our fabulous retail space

We invite you to join us from March 29-April 4 (closed on Sunday) at the Harbour Centre Upper Mall Level, 555 West Hastings Street. The sale runs from 10am-6pm everyday except Sunday. We invite the public to come check out our great deals, while supporting a great cause!

We will also have donation drop off days prior to the sale on March 26th & 27th from 11:30am-2:00pm at the Food Court level. We are asking for work appropriate handbags, new make-up, work appropriate clothing in sizes 0-4 and 16-up, and work appropriate shoe sizes 4-6 and 10-up.

Handbags, handbags, handbags!

All of the merchandise is women`s clothing, ranging from casual spring and summer wear, to professional suits, to designer labels, to gorgeous handbags, and the list goes on! Be sure to come early to ensure the purchase of your must-have item!

*Please note, due to limited retail space all change rooms are communal only.

Our volunteers who make magic happen!

On Saturday, February 8th, Dress for Success Vancouver volunteer stylists helped dress five clients from Ts'zil Learning Centre Lil'wat Nation/Mount Currie Band. Our style consultants made such every woman feel special and they left feeling completely happy and empowered! Here are some of their feedback:

"It was so nice to have a day to myself!"

"I don't remember the last time that I got something for myself. My last $5 always goes to my kids."

About the DFS volunteers:  "Those women were volunteers?! I can't believe they volunteer to do this. I hope one day I can volunteer to help there too."

"I had so much fun today" (said with a gigantic smile)

One woman told me that her volunteer tried to get her to wear a skirt but "that was not her". She did not get a skirt but now she is thinking about how she is dressing and she said, "I know that it is a risk, but I think I am going to try a skirt."

Finally, another volunteer did her best to try to get another woman to add colour to her black and white outfit but this student would not budge. In the car, I showed this student a red scarf that we had picked up for a missing student and she said that she liked it. I said, "You like this? But it is red!" She said that she liked it and would wear it. I promptly gave it to her. Miracles do happen :)

After DFS, we went to Value Village to purchase items that the students needed for their new outfits or other articles of clothing to mix and match with their DFS outfits. Finally,we went out to lunch and headed home. We had a fashion show in the bus, in which each woman showed everything that she received/bought that day. It was empowering!!!! I can't think of a better way that I could have spent a sunny afternoon.