VANCOUVER TRENDZ [THURSDAY]

Clothes Encounters

April 19, 2007

Dress for Success is an organization that helps women with low incomes get dressed in professional-looking outfits for job interviews. Next week, they're hosting their annual Impact for Change fundraising event, but you can get involved any time you want.

As well as providing outfits for interviews, the Dress for Success volunteers take care in the hair and makeup departments, too. Plus, they give seminars, mentoring and other support once they've helped somebody find a better job. The Vancouver chapter opened in 1999 and was the first international branch of the U.S.-based non-profit. So far, they've helped more than 7,500 women.

They're always accepting clothes donations. And if you want to get really active, why not organize a clothing drive at work or among friends!

Or you can hang out at the fundraiser next Tuesday, emceed by Kristina Matisic and Anna Wallner of the Shopping Bags TV show. Tickets are $60. The event goes from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Birks, 698 West Hastings Street (at Granville). See www.impactevent.ca for the details or to make donations online.

Have you entered this week's Contest yet? You could win a coffee a day for a whole year! And yesterday in Brand New we brought you warmth, balance and peace. . .