Helping disadvantaged women Dress for Success

This is a story about women helping other women. On 11 November 2012, Sydney women opened their hearts and their wallets in support of the local arm of Dress for Success, a global charity dedicated to improving the lives of women. Leading the fund-raising effort was Sydney business woman and philanthropist, Maureen Houssein-Mustafa OAM.

Dress for Success Sydney is a registered charity that outfits disadvantaged women free of charge, in high quality professional attire and provides practical advice in preparation for job interviews.

On Friday 12 October 2012, Dress for Success Sydney hosted its annual gala dinner at The Westin Sydney where The Australasian College’s Founder and Co-Chair Maureen Houssein-Mustafa OAM announced $100,000 in scholarship packages and gave a $5,000 donation to improve the organisation’s online presence. The Australasian College will also be providing free style makeovers to every client of Dress for Success Sydney in preparation for job interviews (valued at $465,000) over the next 12 months.

A month later, Maureen Houssein-Mustafa threw open the doors of The Australasian College, the business she founded in 1994, for Bubbles and Bargains, a special fund-raising event where women could purchase highly discounted designer clothing, shoes and accessories donated by high end fashion houses. More than 350 Sydney women attended the event which raised over $25,000 for the charity.

“By opening our doors to Dress for Success Sydney we will make a substantial difference in improving the quality of life for women in New South Wales,” said Maureen Houssein-Mustafa.

“We want women to be aware of the opportunities available to them, and through these initiatives we are able to offer life-changing assistance to kick start their career and their journey to financial independence.”

Dress for Success Sydney has a mission to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women in NSW by providing them with professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to help them thrive in work and in life. Partnerships such as the one between Dress for Success Sydney and The Australasian College, will go along way toward achieving this mission. For more information about Dress for Success Sydney visit the website: dressforsuccess.org/sydney

Dress for Success Worldwide is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to improving the lives of women in more than 120 cities across 13 countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom and the West Indies.

In addition to Dress for Success Sydney, the charity also provides assistance to Australian women in Brisbane, Melbourne, and the Mornington Peninsula.

Dress for Success depends on a team of qualified, passionate and dedicated individuals, organisations and companies for their continued success. If you can help, contact your nearest office of Dress for Success to lend a hand.

You may also want to consider helping to set up a branch of Dress for Success in your corner of the world. Contact Dress for Success Worldwide for more information on how you can help.