Empowering women in all stages is a goal for the international Dress for Success organization, as the Âé¶čAV chapter is looking for volunteers to help expand its reach to women throughout the Central Okanagan.
The mission of Dress for Success is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Dress for Success Âé¶čAV (DFSÂé¶čAV) started in 2019 and has had a lot of success in creating sand strengthening that network.
Tannis Henderson, the program coordinator of DFSÂé¶čAV, is an active âsingle mom to two amazing humans and one dog.â
Originally from Edmonton, Tannis has made her home in Syilx territory for two years.
In addition to her work with DFSÂé¶čAV, she also owns two clothing boutiques and is the manager of the Âé¶čAV showroom for an Edmonton-based clothing designer.
On top of that, she is also a certified RYT 200-hour yoga instructor and a board member of This Space Belongs to You, a local non-profit whose vision it is âto provide safer, more inclusive space and resources for 2S/LGBTQIA+, and/or IBPOC people (12 to age 24) within the Syilx Okanagan.â
Tannis has been in her current role for eight months. Prior to that, she volunteered as a mentor and to assist with a tech development project that helps them to streamline their processes.
She shares with us this week some of the reasons to be a part of this organization.
âOur volunteers change the lives of women and non-binary individuals in our community every day,â explained Tannis. âThey are the heart of our organization, and we would not be able to provide the programs and services we do without them.
âWe are very fortunate to have a strong team of about 100 dedicated volunteers. We offer a variety of roles that are both short (event specific) and long term. All of our roles have flexible hours, and most roles are in-person.â
Specific roles they are looking for mentors, committee members for the Watch Her Soar fashion show fundraiser, workshops facilitators and merchandisers. They also need two virtual volunteers that support administration and to be the bookkeeper.
Tannis is proud of the fact the organization empowers all women, not only their clients.
âOur volunteers, staff and donors are all deeply fulfilled and empowered through our work. One of my favourite things about our organization is how many clients continue to work with us as volunteers once theyâve gained some stability with support from our programs. Our services work, they are provided with dignity and thatâs why our clients and volunteers are our best ambassadors.
âWe build women up and work in a supportive environment. We work with all volunteers individually to ensure that they donât just fill a role, but that the role meets their needs and wants as well.â
To volunteer with this great organization, look on the Volunteer Connector or their website www.dfskelowna.org. To contact Tannis, email programcoordinator@dfskelowna.org.
Follow them on Facebook and Instagram @dressforsuccesskelowna.
