Earlier this month we had the opportunity to visit Dress for Success Sydney, a recipient of a Social Justice Small Grant in 2017. The project is helping young women leaving out of home care to increase their employability and prepare for their future.
The program has two components: firstly, participants are styled in interview appropriate clothing and accessories that they can keep for meetings and interviews. The second component includes education on effective communication, presentation skills, resume writing tips and advice. The workshops help the young women transition to independent living. Halfway through the project, eight participants have completed the workshops.
The feedback from the workshops has been very positive. All participants reported that they:
- feel empowered to achieve their employment goals
- now have a better understanding of appropriate body language and dress for an interview
- recognise the importance of preparation and behaviour for an interview
- feel more confident in identifying their strengths and in their communication skills, especially in an interview situation.
Below is the feedback from their teacher:
“Thank you to you and your team for running wonderful workshops for our young people yesterday. They really did get a lot out of it. It really boosted the majority of the group’s self esteem being able to choose an outfit for an interview and to take it home to show their carers which was just lovely to see and hear”
Dress for Success Sydney helps women experiencing hardship to enter the workforce, prepare for life events, create economic independence and address any physical or mental barriers that are holding them back. They have clients aged from their teens to their 80’s. It is an inclusive, safe and positive place, providing a highly valuable service to hundreds of women each year.
Above: The team from Dress for Success Sydney