Your gift can transform a woman's life
Women like Maya*, who with her children fled her violent home carrying nothing but a backpack.
Dress for Success NSW & ACT supports women experiencing varying degrees of hardship, poverty, discrimination, and disadvantage to achieve economic independence. By providing a network of support, professional clothing, and a holistic suite of practical career development support services we empower women into employment, to create a brighter future.
Your donation today can create a world where women thrive in work and in life.
Where your gift goes - Maya's story
Domestic and family violence is the main reason women and children leave their home in Australia^.
One of these women was Maya*.
Maya’s journey with Dress for Success shows the extraordinary resilience of women facing the unimaginable. Thriving professionally but experiencing extreme violence at home from her husband, Maya made the courageous decision to escape with nothing but a backpack, her children, and the belief that their life could be better.
But this hope for a better life meant she was suddenly without a home, money, or even clothes. Maya and her children were safe from one threat, and facing countless others instead.
Maya had no family support, no job, and limited funds that were dwindling fast. Her resourcefulness was pushed to the brink.
Maya knew she needed a job to support her young children. But her backpack carried only minimal clothing and she did not have the means to acquire anything beyond essentials for her young family.
Maya simply didn’t know where to turn for support.
Dress for Success is one of the main connections for women seeking support to rebuild their lives.
It was at a Styling session to get clothes for an interview that Maya started to open up about her hopes and dreams for her future.
“I loved the warm way the volunteer treated me during the styling session. They knew very little of my background, but enough to know that I needed gentle attention and persuasion to try something new.”
Maya left Dress for Success with clothing and accessories for an interview; but more than that, the Volunteer Stylists ahd helped her find her confidence again.
"I came back home knowing that I had clothes, and finally started seeing my former successful, confident self" she expressed.
This spark of empowerment encouraged Maya to sign up for workshops and 1:1 Career Support services, helping her nail her interview and secure a job. When she returned for another Styling service for a capsule wardrobe to see her through an entire week of work, the excitement in the showroom was electric.
Today Maya stands tall having gained employment and also commenced further education at university in women’s health. Her life has undergone a remarkable transformation since her first visit to Dress for Success. With a job she loves, offering flexibility to be with her family, she is passionate about paying it forward and helping other women needing support, just like she needed.
To share the gift of empowerment this festive season and support more women like Maya, donate today.
* name and details changed to protect their privacy
