Josephine Ngare has known her fair share of hardship and struggle, but credits the confidence she gained from Dress for Success as a driving force for turning her life around.
Shene of 1000 women the organisation has helped gain sustainable employment and financial independence in the past five years and now, with the help of a $10,000 grant from the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, the organsiation will be able to help even more.
Ms Ngare says the network of support, professional attire and development tools she received through Dress for Success helped her feel good about herself and securing full-time work.
“The ladies really know how to make you feel like a strong, independent woman.”
It is not just employees who benefit from the work of Dress for Success – Ms Ngare has made a real impression on her new manager Christine de Vries from Damar, who acknowledged her new employee’s work ethic and contribution.
“Ms Ngare’s story is an inspiration to our whole logistics team, she is always smiling and happy to help. Her tenacity to do her job to a high standard, her attention to detail and willingness to got the extra mile regardless.
“Jo started as a casual at Damar; accepted a permanent role soon after and is now a seasoned picker packer; embarking on training to expand her skills and responsibility within the logistics tea. Truly an awesome achievement for her.”
Dress for Success President, Michelle Pleydell is a foundation trustee and joined Dress for Success to help members of the community, such as Josephine, thrive in work and in life.
Ms Pleydell says the grant will allow the organisation to expand their reach and increase the number of clients they can place into their career centre programme while also providing further formal support, such as confidence building and self-awareness. The career centre programme has helped many people into the workforce, she says.
“Rotorua Charitable Energy Trust has supported us ever since we started in 2011 and we’re very grateful for the local support, as it gives us the confidence to grow our programmes, with the knowledge we’re impacting our community.”
Ms Pleydell says the goal of the career centre programme is two-fold – to help individuals with the confidence to find meaningful work and then to help them start a new job.
It includes skills training covering topics such as how to interact with colleagues, ways get to work and finding child care, she says.
Rotorua Trust chairman Stewart Edward says Dress for Success is an example of a voluntary organisation making a significant difference in the lives of Rotorua people.
“Last year they helped 424 people to take the first step into the job market. The work they are doing has transformed and grown to the point where it can now offer a full wrap around service in terms of the career centre, the dressing service, and maintaining contact with clients after the initial contact to determine their success.
Following last year’s Careers Expo, the organisation identified a need for its service in high schools and is including that in this year’s programme, Mr Edward says.
“The work Dress for Success does ties in well with one of our strategic priorities – helping people transition into the workforce. The numbers of people they’ve helped speak for themselves, and we are proud to be able to continue to support them financially, so they can assist with getting more people into jobs.”
Watch the video here to hear more from Michelle.
If you’re interested in finding out more about Dress for Success, or believe you would make a good stylist; can help with admin; services in the CV career centre; or as a professional with their education and employment courses, please get in touch with Michelle Pleydell about becoming a volunteer at rotorua@dressforsuccess.org.
The Trust approved thirteen grants in September, worth a total of $105,500
Grants Approved – April 2018
Complex Chronic Illness Support Inc – $2,500
Dress for Success – $10,000
Get Kids Active Charitable Trust – $5,000
John Paul College – $500
NZ Aria Trust – $15,000
One Chance Charitable Trust – $2,500
Opus Chamber Orchestra – $12,000
Project Litefoot Trust – $7,000
Rotorua Bike Festival Trust – $20,000
Rotorua Careers Expo Trust – $7,000
Rotorua Children’s Art House Trust – $13,000
Selwyn Kindergarten – $5,000
Womans Shed – $6,000