Marlene grew up in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and lived in several cities across North America, including Winnipeg, Edmonton, New Orleans, and Houston, before settling down in Calgary.
She learned about Dress for Success Calgary through The Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Club of Calgary. She started volunteering half a day by helping sort the donations but got more involved and started volunteering as a stylist as well.
Marlene says she loves everything to do with clothes and accessories and through this experience she learned how much she enjoys helping women find their style. She told us, “It gives them more confidence to enter or advance in the business world.” She also shared with us that she immediately felt that Making Changes had a wonderful and caring culture. “I was made to feel welcome and appreciated from the beginning.”
“We don’t just outfit women for the professional world, our other programs give extra training, the preparation needed for interviews, and other life skills.”
Marlene was quickly impressed with the programs and was struck by how useful they are to the clients. “We don’t just outfit women for the professional world, our other programs give extra training, the preparation needed for interviews, and other life skills.”
Marlene was also impressed with the clients - the courage of the women who arrive from other countries to make new lives in Calgary, as well as Canadian women who are re-entering the workforce. “It takes determination to overcome fears and self-doubt”, Marlene says.
Marlene encourages women to volunteer with Making Changes and Dress for Success Calgary and insists that “you won’t know until you try it. You can visit, shadow a volunteer, and see if it’s something that appeals to you. I always tell my clients to take a small first step and the next step will be revealed.”
Thank you, Marlene, for all that you do for us and our clients, We are so proud of all our volunteers for their dedication and commitment to helping women, those who identify as women, and teen girls in Calgary!
Check out our website for details on ways to volunteer with us: https://www.makingchangesassociation.ca/volunteer-with-us