Marlene Cameron: 'Outfitting Women for Success'

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 

Marjorie Hunchak: 'Impacting Lives Through Volunteering'n

Marjorie was born in Belleville, Ontario and moved to Calgary in 1990. Due to health reasons, she had to retire early and found this new stage of her life very challenging. She felt that being idle was not helping her health improve. She decided to find an activity that would help her use her time positively. That’s when she found out about the option to volunteer for Dress for Success Calgary. 

Since starting to volunteer, she has found herself feeling better and enjoying the experience. She says, “I really enjoy meeting new Canadians who have come here from all over the world.”

With our clients, there is frequently a language barrier, but Marjorie says that they always find a way to communicate.

She told us, “What I love most is the pure joy I experience witnessing the transformation someone has from when they first come in after they have had their styling appointment. It's like watching a beautiful flower bloom!”

““My heart is so full after every shift, I feel pure joy. My experience has been so rewarding and truly life-altering for me.””

Marjorie feels that she has learned so much by volunteering with Dress for Success Calgary which has given her more than she could have expected. “My heart is so full after every shift, I feel pure joy. My experience has been so rewarding and truly life-altering for me.”

To those looking for an organization to volunteer with, Marjorie urges them to consider Making Changes/Dress for Success Calgary. She says, “I was astounded by how many women in Calgary require support that is provided by Making Changes and Dress for Success Calgary. For women who are seeking to further their education or enter the workforce, they can benefit from programs and services for the extra support they need to go above and beyond their career and educational goals.” 

Volunteering with Dress for Success Calgary means helping women and those who identify as women build confidence and giving them the opportunity to build a new life for themselves and their families. As Marjorie says, “Yes, it's that big!”

Thank you, Marjorie, 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 

Linda Aldridge: 'Helping Women Feel Hopeful"

Linda is originally from Sackville, Nova Scotia, and moved to Calgary after graduating from the university. 

After reading the client testimonials, Linda was so impressed with the Dress for Success Calgary program, its impact on women’s lives, and all the better that it had to do with fashion! It was a perfect combination for Linda to sign up to volunteer as a stylist. 

Linda says her favorite part about volunteering is seeing the clients’ smiles. She told us, “Nothing short of magic happens when we find the right clothes. At that moment the clients light up, they feel good about themselves, and are hopeful about their future.”

““Clothes are a universal experience””

“Clothes are a universal experience”, Linda says. “In most cultures, no matter where you’re from, the clothes you wear and what you adorn your body with convey meaning and express who you are. And when language barriers exist, clothes can also substitute for words.” 

She added, “Everyone knows when they look good, and words are not needed to express it.” 

To those interested in volunteering, Linda shares that for her, “it’s a life-affirming experience. The gratitude the clients have is overwhelming; you can’t buy the feeling it gives you. Give it a try!”

““it’s a life-affirming experience. The gratitude the clients have is overwhelming; you can’t buy the feeling it gives you. Give it a try!””

Thank you, Linda, 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