Dress for Success helps women re-enter workforce using clothes as a tool to regain confidence

A charity is helping vulnerable women, including those in Geraldton, find their professional feet on shaky ground with style and confidence. In the lead-up to International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, Dress for Success WA is launching its Empower Hour fundraising campaign, urging workplaces and individuals to host their own events and donate proceeds to the cause. Dress for Success is experiencing more demand amid the cost-of-living and housing crises, with the number of women facing hardship and seeking help with workwear rising steadily. The charity helped 1300 women across WA enter or re-enter the workforce last year and held an outreach program in Geraldton to help 30 women over three days, where the participants were styled before “graduating” on the fourth day. Participant Sally Parfitt said the process proved to be hugely beneficial. “I really enjoyed my experience. Had some wonderful ladies help with a massive confidence boost,” she said. Volunteer Sue Evans said: “It was ... so satisfying to see how proud the ladies were of themselves after receiving their new outfits.” Supporting women to enter or re-enter the workforce is one of the most effective ways to help women reach financial independence and Dress for Success is now in its eighth year, delivering free services to women thanks to 100 volunteers and six part-time staff. Laura, not her real name, is a former client of Dress for Success. A survivor of domestic violence, the mother of two came to the charity as she was seeking to re-enter the workforce after 10 years. “Five years ago, I left a marriage riddled with domestic violence,” she said. “My husband locked me out of my home, so I left with no belongings. My children and I lived in a refuge for five months. “I’d been a stay-at-home mum for 10 years. I didn’t have any work experience in Australia, or professional clothing. I was living in a shelter, relying on Foodbank and Centrelink to support my family. “Being given professional clothing might sound like a small and simple act, but for me the confidence boost I experienced that day has been life-changing. It’s not just my life that has changed. This has changed everything for my family and our future.” Laura secured social housing, gained qualifications and now works in management. CEO Kelli Evans said: “Women usually have lower incomes and less engagement in the workplace due to factors which are out of their control, such as juggling work and childcare.” The charity will be returning to Geraldton from August 19 to 22 this year.