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Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie


Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie provides assistance to women at critical life transitions of employment or re-employment. Our programs focus on providing a continuum of support and opportunities for women to compete and advance in the ever-changing workplace.

Our three cornerstone programs are the Suiting Program (Professional Clothing Assistance Program), the Professional Women’s Group  and the Breakfast Club. Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie works with clients who are actively seeking employment, have scheduled job interviews, or have recently acquired a job or placement/co-op.

No other organization in the Simcoe region provides the continuum of services that Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie offers. Dress for Success Orillia and Barrie aims to be the primary advocate for women who are in the critical transition to employment and re-employment.

Canadian Registered Charity No. 814872636RR0001

Our Vision
Our vision is a world where women do not live in poverty. We strive for a world where all women are financially independent, are treated with dignity and respect and are directly impacting their lives and those of their families. We aspire to a world that fully harnesses the power of women and recognizes their role in economic sustainability.

Our Purpose

“We are about much more than simply a new outfit”

Our purpose is to offer long-lasting solutions that enable women to break the cycle of poverty. Dress for Success is part of a global movement for change, empowering women to obtain safer and better futures.

We provide each client with professional attire to secure employment, but we are about much more than simply a new outfit. Besides physically equipping the client with apparel and accessories, our programs furnish her with a confidence that she carries forever and the knowledge that she can actively define her life, the direction she takes and what success means to her.

Our Beliefs
Every woman has the right to realize her full potential and achieve financial independence in a more egalitarian world. We believe that with the proper education, tools and action this world is possible.

Poverty often affects women the most, and its effects on them and their families can be long-lasting. Therefore, addressing women’s needs is central to improving the quality of life for not only that woman but also her family, future generations and her community. In fact, recognizing the significant role of women in economic development is the smart thing to do, as well as being socially and morally right.

We believe that achieving gender equality is imperative to developing a sustainable and just world for all, which is possible by acknowledging the crucial role that women play in the world economy.

We believe that by building up a woman’s agency and knowledge, better synergies between gender equality and economic sustainability are realized, enabling her to generate a long-term impact in both her private and public life.

Ways to Get Involved
Whether it's by volunteering, donating clothing, or becoming a monthly donor, getting involved is an opportunity for you to make a lasting difference in the lives of women and in your community. Please join us as we support and encourage women who are developing their careers and striving to achieve economic independence, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that every woman who walks through our doors comes to thrive both in work and in life.


Our People