With women being hit disproportionately hard in the pandemic, Vancouver’s Dress for Success (DFS) branch is providing counselling and assistance for low income and marginalized women to get the help they need from government and community programs.
DFS is a global not-for-profit organization that empowers 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.
About 80% of those DFS Vancouver works with are new Canadians and refugees.
And, the group began getting calls several weeks ago from former clients who were struggling. So, the organization pivoted, creating a new program called Helping Women Now.
This program is designed to assist women who don't have internet at home and used to rely on the library, women who have literacy or language struggles or perhaps women who may just feel overwhelmed or intimidated during the pandemic lockdown.
It provides counselling on how to apply for emergency aid programs, how to access food banks and shelters and other supports, how to job search, how to brush up resumes or interview skills and other help.
Contact and other information can be found at https://www.helpingwomennow.ca/
@jhainswo
