Pegasus Post: September 10, 2020

8 Thursday September 10 2020
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
News
PEGASUS POST
Dressing and
empowering women
A myriad of
groups help keep
our community
moving. Reporter
Bea Gooding
speaks to Dress
for Success
Christchurch
executive manager
Ginnie Rhodes
about how the
charity helps
women prepare
for the workforce
Could you tell me a bit
about what Dress for
Success is and how it
came to be what it is
today?
Dress for Success is
a global not-for-profit
organisation that
empowers women.
Dress for Christchurch
has been operating in
Canterbury for 17 years.
Our local vision is:
Empowering women –
providing women in need
within our community
with the guidance,
support, tools and
confidence to pursue their
employment goals and
shape their own financial
future.
Since starting operations
in 1997, Dress for Success
Worldwide has expanded
to almost 150 cities in 25
countries and has helped
more than 1.2 million
women work towards selfsufficiency.
Each affiliate focuses
its programmes on their
own community needs. In
Christchurch we have the
Dressing Programme, and
Careers Centre which runs
job search and retention
seminars, resilience
programmes and one on
one careers coaching and
job search.
What issues are women
currently facing while
entering the workforce,
and why?
The women we support
are so varied including
those on low or no income,
challenging domestic
situation, mental health
challenges, never worked
before, immigrants, young
women, transgender
women and women reentering
life after prison.
One of the biggest issues
is a lack of confidence and
self-esteem, which is one
of our main focuses and
the aim of the Dressing
Programme is to help
this. It takes a very short
time for women to feel
less confident about
their abilities, often
IMPACT: Executive manager Ginny Rhodes, of
charity Dress for Success, who empower women
with the tools they need as they enter the
workforce.
PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN ​
not recognising the
transferable skills they
have developed alongside
professional skills and
knowledge.
Lack of job searching
‘know-how’ in this rapidly
changing world. CVs,
cover letters, online
applications, how to
effectively use social media
profiles and platforms.
Juggling families
is always up there
for women, finding
part-time employment
and employers who
have flexible working
arrangements. One of the
plus sides of Covid-19 is
the ability to work from a
home base.
Why is an organisation
like this important in
Christchurch?
We are the only
organisation in Canterbury
supporting women in need
in this way, the Dressing
Programme particularly is
unique to our organisation.
We see over 400 women
per annum so we know
there is a real need in the
community. The women
are referred by more than
40 referral organisations
across Canterbury.
We also support women
in “one-off” situations like
attending a court case or
other significant events.
Last year we dressed a
mother of four in an outfit
for her graduation.
How has Dress for
Success impacted women
in order for them to
thrive in the workplace
and beyond?
Women who come
for a dressing or careers
appointment can vary
in age from 16-years-old
to 70-years-old, we work
to support and empower
women by providing
not only clothing for job
search preparation but
also other tools and skills
needed to succeed. We
provide ongoing support
once in employment
through our “Women in
Work”’ retention seminars
and mentoring.
Here are some
comments from previous
clients:
“I would say I’m over the
moon. Confidence levels
really high after being
attired property. Great
staff, good advice and
some different styles that I
wouldn’t normally choose
for myself. Very happy and
huge thanks to you all.”
“You have no idea how
positive and amazing
impact you have on me.
Thank you all. You girls
made me feel like a
woman again, I was
lacking in confidence but
you helped me believe I am
worth it.”
“Lovely experience and
attention. I felt important.
Lovely ladies thank you
very much.”
In what ways can
communities support
Dress for Success to help
women reach their full
potential, and why?
As an organisation
that is community
funded we do require
funds to operate,
other organisations or
communities can support
us by raising funds for us,
individual and corporate
donations are also greatly
valued. We also rely on
“in-kind” donations of
make-up, good quality
clothing, shoes handbags
and jewellery.
The Facebook page and
website explains more
about us and how to
donate.