Dress for Success NSW & ACT

Dress For Success NSW & ACT has operated in NSW since 2009, offering long-lasting solutions to empower women to achieve financial independence and alleviate poverty, by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and life. The Dress For Success Newcastle-Hunter showroom supports more than 300 women across the region every year, and over the last three years, there has been an increase in demand for all the services offered by the organisation. The showroom, originally located in Broadmeadow, Newcastle, can no longer accommodate the growing local demand for services.

First impressions are important, and a woman appropriately dressed for a work interview is more likely to feel confident, empowered, and able to create a positive impression. In FY22, the DFS styling service had the following impact on clients:-
- 99% felt more confident, prepared, and ready for their job interview or new job.
- 99% felt empowered to achieve their employment goals.
- DFS received a Net Promoter Score of 98.

In FY22, the Career Support Program had the following impact on women:-
- 80% felt more prepared and job ready after accessing DFS programs.
- 41% secured employment following engagement in DFS programs.
- 85% achieved positive career goal outcomes (secured employment or undertook further education or training) following engagement in DFS programs.

In 2022, Greater Charitable Foundation proudly provided Dress For Success with funding to enable them to keep their Newcastle-Hunter showroom open. Now, we are providing funding to enable them to upgrade and expand to a bigger premises and support the growing demand for their services. They are currently at full capacity when it comes to holding clothing donations as well, so more space will mean they will be able to collect more recycled stock, increase client support and wellbeing, and also strengthen their ability to fundraise locally and continue to provide a sustainable, empowerment service.