| Thank Yous |
| Many thanks go to all of our talented volunteers who commit their time and energy.
We offer a special thank-you to the following for their time and donations "In Kind" this quarter. /p>
Agnes Jean Boutique
Angela Murray (Mary Kay)
Arts Club Theatre Company
Banana Republic
BCIT Marketing Association
Best Buy/Future shop
BIV – Women of Influence Luncheon
Blushing Boutique
Bob Rabbior (Canadian Foundation of Economic Education)
British Columbia Social Venture Partners
Carnegie Street Productions
Chai Gallery
Change (South Cambie)
Chatters Beauty Bar (New West)
Debra Kerr (gift basket)
Dr. Susan Chow
Elevate Business Women’s Conference and Show
Ingledews
Jacqueline Jamieson
Janethelm.com
Laura McDonagh of Style Lab
Le Petit Spa
Lord’s Shoes
Marie Helen Pelletier
Mills Basics
Mona Forster
Obakki
Omega Frontline Apparel
Pacific Palisades Hotel
Patty Amy of Wayne on Main
Petite Fashions Kerrisdale
Plum Clothing
Pyrrha Design Inc.
RedVelvetWoman.com
Reel to Real IFF for Youth
Royal Bank (Granville and Hastings)
Simpson Thomas & Assoc.
Smart Brands (TEN) Cosmetics
Sodican
Style and the City (Students Committee – Sauder School of Business)
Suki’s Academy
TELUS Community Ambassadors
Temple Sholom Sisterhood
THEY Representation Inc.
TWIST
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Vancouver Technical Secondary School
Work In Progress – Career Transition Strategists
Y.E.S!
Many thanks also go to those of you who helped us recently by giving us a substantial cash donation.
Women’s Committee of the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club
The Watson Family
The Gap Foundation
Culinary Capers
Sauder School of Business
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| Contact Us |
Dress for Success® Vancouver
Mailing Address:
685 West Hastings Street, Mezzanine
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6B 1N9
Phone: 604-408-7923
vancouver@dressforsuccess.org
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"Our Mission is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life".
For more information on event sponsorship or to make a financial donation, please contact Dress for Success® Vancouver at Tel: 604-408-7923, Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; or visit www.dressforsuccess.org
/vancouver
Executive Director, Deborah Twocock dfsvancouver.deborah@yahoo.ca
PWG Program Coordinator, Lucia Crosson dfsvancouver.lucia@yahoo.ca
Career Centre, Valerie Fernandez dfsvancouver.valerie@yahoo.ca
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DFS VANCOUVER
E-NEWSLETTER CREDITS |
Aaron Seminiano,
Web Designer
With a passion for his work, Aaron has delivered his expertise and time to the DFS Vancouver
e-newsletter project and has ensured that our newsletter is professionally designed.
Jen Taylor,
E-Newsletter Editor
Jen continues to apply her strong communication skills to both writing for and editing the DFS Vancouver e-newsletter. Her love of organization and coordination ensure the project rolls-out on its deadlines. |
Wish to be taken off Dress for Success Vancouver's e-list? Simply reply to the post or send us an e-mail requesting removal.
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| Message from the Chair |
 In this edition there are a couple of changes to the organization that I want to discuss, as Chair of Dress for Success® Vancouver.
First, Dress for Success® Vancouver was the successful applicant for a grant from the BC Social Venture Partners (BC SVP). BC SVP provided us with $30,000 this year (renewable for a further $30,000 in each of the next two years if we meet the objectives). Importantly, BC SVP also provides the time and expertise of their partners to help us become a stronger organization in our community.
Over the three years, we will use the BC SVP funds to
- Increase and enhance our programs for women who have secured employment to assure their success in the new and challenging environment of a new job
- Diversify and broaden our funding efforts to ensure long-term sustainability of Dress for Success Vancouver and all of its programmes
- Commence a pilot project to test the viability of expanding our services to women in non-traditional employment (year 2 or 3).
The other change is the start of "Success Calls", which began on February 2nd, 2009. We developed this pilot program with help from volunteers within the McNeill Nakamoto Recruitment Group. Our "Success Calls" volunteers (female executives from Best Buy/Future Shop Canada) provide support for up to 6 months for our clients who are just starting a job. Interested newly employed clients are called and provided with a sounding board, resources to answer questions, and advice about navigating the work environment.
I am convinced that with these two changes we will be able to increase our impact on women's lives and become a more sustainable organization for the next 10 years and more.
Brenda Benham
Chair, Dress for Success® Vancouver
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| Ten Years Strong: Dress for Success® Vancouver Celebrates its 10th Anniversary! |
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 Ten years and more than 12,000 clients later, the reality of what a small group of committed volunteers can do, has finally set in.
What started as serving 300 women in our first year, through two member agencies and 24 volunteers in four ten-by-ten bedrooms at St. Patrick's Parish, has blossomed into over 1,500 clients yearly through 80 member agencies, more than 200 volunteers, one of the most successful PWG programs in North America, and a Career Centre to provide life-long employment support.
The learning has been great; the rewards even greater. The lessons include the importance of strong leadership (thank you Deborah) and the significance of having a solid board and good governance (thank you Stephanie, Sherry, Brenda, and all of the board members from the past 10 years). The rewards come in the eyes of every client who recognizes that someone cared enough about them to volunteer their time and talent to help them on their way to successful employment.
Ten years and more than 12,000 clients… The need continues, and your work is so dearly appreciated. Congratulations to you all and thank you for having the heart and commitment to create change in our community.
Astrid Levelt
Founder, Dress for Success® Vancouver
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| IMPACT An Event for Change Annual Fundraiser |
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On April 21, more than 400 people will gather at the historic Birks building in downtown Vancouver for a fantastic fundraising event: IMPACT An Event for Change. This event is the major fundraiser for Dress for Success® Vancouver, and offers a key opportunity to increase profile within the local business community and media.
The night will include high profile sponsors, media attention, and our enthusiastic audience. Guests can indulge, mingle, drink, and bid on live and silent auction items in support of DFS Vancouver. With the economic downturn, DFS Vancouver expects to see an increase in the number of clients needing our services. We rely more than ever on the generous support of our community, so we will be able to touch the lives of over 2,000 women and their families in 2009.
For this year’s event we will have even more reason to celebrate and come together, as Dress for Success® Vancouver is celebrating its 10-year anniversary! It is our goal to make the event more successful than ever, to ensure DFS Vancouver can continue supporting the economic independence of disadvantaged women in the Lower Mainland with professional attire, career development tools, and an ever growing network of support. Hope to see you there!
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| Volunteer Profile – Olive B. Gilmour |
 "I love shoes and bags, so sorting through the weekly donations can be quite a treat, especially when I find a Louis Vuitton original! In the store itself I enjoy showcasing some of our unique merchandise to reflect holiday and seasonal themes. But nothing is more rewarding than witnessing the transformation that occurs in so many of our clients when they see themselves dressed for an interview in a great outfit complete with all the accessories!
I believe in lending a helping hand to those who are trying to make positive changes in their lives, and I feel privileged that Dress for Success® Vancouver allows me to play a role in this process."
Thank you, Olive!
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| Vancouver Cares |
As well as our own fundraising activities, we are fortunate to have a community which supports us by raising funds for Dress for Success® Vancouver as part of their own “outreach”.
We are happy to be connected with the following businesses, and be the beneficiary of funds raised at the following events.
March 18-22: Donate one quietly worn two-piece St. John suit to Dress for Success® Vancouver and receive $200 off the purchase of $1000 or more regular priced merchandise at St. John, 900 West Georgia Street, during that same time frame. 604-669-2360
March 26-28: As part of the week-long festivities of Vancouver Fashion Week, $5 from ticket sales for the gala and each fashion show will be donated to Dress for Success® Vancouver. www.vanfashionweek.com
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April 15: Launch It - an evening event where innovative entrepreneurs come together to learn, network, and share ideas. Silent auction proceeds to benefit Dress for Success® Vancouver. www.launchitevent.com
 April 17/18: Two-day event for women with a passion for balanced living. Discover “YOU” during affirming self-esteem workshops and seminars at the Four Seasons Hotel. Brought to you by Ask A Woman Enterprises. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Dress for Success® Vancouver. www.askawomanenterprises.com |
April 21: IMPACT! An Event for Change is Dress for Success® Vancouver’s most important fundraiser. To purchase tickets, please visit www.supportdfs.org or phone 604-408-7923.
May 16: Purse drive sponsored by Diageo – promises to be the biggest drive ever! Keep an eye on our website for details.
August & September 2009: Bistrot Bistro presents “Karma Tuesdays”. Five percent of sales every Tuesday in August and September are designated to Dress for Success® Vancouver. www.bistrotbistro.com
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