NEWS RELEASE
DRESS FOR SUCCESS ORILLIA AND BARRIE
***********************
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day — especially when it’s served with a healthy helping of confidence and motivation.
That’s exactly what women get when attending the Dress for Success (DfS) Orillia and Barrie breakfast club program.
Wanda Hillier said she had spent years working in childcare and the cleaning industry and was looking for change. So, she joined the breakfast club, a nine-week program offered by DfS in Orillia and Barrie.
“I thought it would be a place that would encourage strength and confidence and your work abilities,” she said. “That's what I had hoped and that's what it was — It was very inspirational.”
One of Hillier’s favourite parts of the breakfast club was how the volunteer facilitator talked about mindfulness.
“I found that very helpful and encouraging,” she said. “With that, I've been able to keep myself grounded. When I'm stressed, it's a way to calm myself and get focused in the moment. I find that very encouraging and hopeful.”
Hillier said the visit from Sunshine Speakers Toastmasters of Orillia was also quite interesting "because they enable people to build their confidence up for speaking in public.”
As a result of the confidence and support she received from the breakfast club, she was able to secure an interview with Agilec.
And because of all this, she recommends Dress for Success to others.
“Because the weeks that I have been there have really helped me look at myself and look at what I'm capable of doing,” said Hillier. “There's so much encouragement there. It's very inspirational. I'm so grateful to all the speakers that have come and the opportunity to be in it.”
The Orillia resident and two others were at Sharp Image Salon and Spa this week for their graduation gift from DfS: a free makeover.
Shannon Shivers, owner of the salon, said she has been doing this for the last five years to help out women.
“I just know, even for myself, a makeover feels good,” she said. “It sounds silly, but it helps your self-esteem.”
Agnes Travis came to DfS to take advantage of its signature suiting program, which provides women with one suit to wear to an interview and up to five suits upon securing a job.
“I've been suited a couple of times and I have been using the services and have attended workshops,” said the Orillia resident. “They gave me some more self-confidence and self-empowerment.”
Being out of the job market for some time, things change, so it was nice to slowly go back into it with some guidance, said Travis.
She loved the camaraderie, the support and the overall community feeling without any judgment.
“It helped me with my job interview,” said Travis, who now works for Shop Orillia.
“Dress for Success is an amazing organization and it is truly changing women's lives,” she said. “The support you receive is unbelievable. There are many organizations out there, but this one is truly for real.”
Some of the breakfast club participants could not attend the makeover Wednesday, as they are now employed, said Linda Reid, executive director for DfS.
“That is a great thing,” she said, adding, “The good news is they are now eligible to participate in our Professional Women’s Group (PWG) program, 12-month employment-retention program that we are launching in the new year.”
For more information, visit their website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter (@DfSOrilliaBarri), and Instagram (@dressforsuccessorilliabarrie).
***********************
