Dress for Success Regina Inc.

Dress for Success Regina Inc. (Business Registration Number: 859621211RR0001) is a Canadian nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering women in Regina, Saskatchewan, by supporting their economic independence and workplace success. It is an affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide and the Dress for Success Canada Foundation.

History and Background

Dress for Success Regina was founded in 2008, initiated by two local women, Barbara Hildebrandt and Jan Forrest, who recognized a need for women to have access to professional clothing for job interviews. The initial location was facilitated through support from Westminster United Church in Regina, which provided both space and a grant to launch the program[1].

The organization’s early location on the third floor of an office annex presented accessibility challenges for clients with mobility and respiratory issues. In response, and with funding from a federal grant awarded to the Dress for Success Canada Foundation in 2022, Dress for Success Regina relocated in 2024 to a more accessible, street-level facility in downtown Regina. Since the move, the organization has seen an increase in clothing donations, attributed to higher visibility[1].

Mission and Vision

Dress for Success Regina’s mission is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools aimed at helping women thrive in their careers and personal lives. The organization envisions a world where women do not live in poverty, are financially independent, treated with dignity and respect, and recognized for their contributions to economic sustainability[5].

Programs and Services

Dress for Success Regina provides its clients with professional clothing for interviews and employment, along with access to career coaching, skill-building, and job retention support, consistent with the wider Dress for Success approach. The organization helps women build workplace confidence and readiness through both tangible resources and community support[1][2].

Affiliations and Support

As one of over 13 Canadian affiliates, Dress for Success Regina is part of a national network coordinated by the Dress for Success Canada Foundation. This foundation supports affiliates across Canada through capacity building, partnership development, brand awareness, and impact measurement. Funded through a combination of grants, corporate and individual donations, and government funding, the foundation helps sustain and expand programming nationwide[4].

Dress for Success Worldwide, the parent global organization founded in 1997 in New York City, has grown to support hundreds of thousands of women internationally, offering a comprehensive approach that includes professional attire, career coaching, and skills training[3].

Community Impact

Through its services, Dress for Success Regina aims to break down barriers to employment for women, enhancing their chances of securing and retaining meaningful jobs. The increased visibility from the 2024 relocation has furthered community engagement and increased clothing donations, enabling expanded support to local women seeking economic independence[1].

In summary, Dress for Success Regina Inc. is a vital component of both local and national efforts to provide women with the tools, confidence, and resources necessary to enter and succeed in the workforce, furthering economic empowerment and gender equity in the Regina community.