Special vintage and contemporary online boutique store, DearGladys.com.au claims to be the first not-for-profit online retail store in Australia.
Proceeds will fund a unique social enterprise that is changing the lives of thousands of long-term unemployed and disadvantaged women.
DearGladys started life as a vintage and contemporary clothing store in the Melbourne suburb of Northcote in 2009, established with the sole purpose of providing ongoing financial support for Fitted for Work, a not-for-profit organisation operating in Melbourne, Sydney and country Victoria.
Since 2005, Fitted for Work has transformed the lives of 6500 women across Australia helping them obtain and maintain employment. As a not-for-profit organisation, Fitted for Work provides free interview-appropriate clothing through personal dressing services as well as mentoring and transition to work programs.
DearGladys, the boutique, and now DearGladys.com.au, raises much-needed funds to help women experiencing disadvantage get back into the workforce.
Since its launch in Melbourne 2009, the Dear Gladys shop front has contributed to 30 per cent of the funds for Fitted for Work and has now expanded into the online arena taking advantage of e-commerce opportunities.
DearGladys.com.au supplies quality vintage and contemporary fashion and home wares to those wishing to make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged women in Australia. Proceeds from all sales at Dear Gladys online and in store go towards the efforts of Fitted for Work.
As a result of the valuable work undertaken by Fitted for Work staff and volunteers, Australian women have the opportunity to gain the self-esteem and confidence to achieve sustainable employment. A recent survey commissioned by the organisation found that 75 per cent of the women dressed by Fitted for Work were employed within three months of their visit.
Fitted for Work CEO Jane Hunt said the goals of Fitted for Work clients are much the same as those of the organisation itself.
“In the same way that we want sustainable employment for the women that we work with, we also want it for ourselves,” said Hunt.
“Our goal is to continue to support the disadvantaged women of Australia and expand our services as much as possible. The success of DearGladys.com.au will help determine the future of our organisation.”
Fitted for Work provides a variety of services tailored to the changing individual needs of the women who seek their help.
The core fitting service includes a free out-fitting service, styling advice and interview preparation while the Transition to Work Program offers six month pre-employment training, work experience and mentoring service.
A range of skill-based workshops are also available designed to build self confidence and enhance the personal strengths of women seeking assistance. These workshops cover coping with stress and anger, time and money management, goal setting, personal styling and awareness and much more.
In September 2011 Fitted for Work won the Ernst & Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year award in the southern region of Australia and more recently, CEO Jane Hunt, was awarded the Nokia Business Innovation Award for Victoria 2011.
