"Dress for Success Sydney made me feel like I mattered."
—Naima, Sydney, Australia
Naima is the embodiment of the term "Grace Under Fire”. She has overcome every obstacle life has thrown at her to become a strong single mom with a stable income and employment. However, it wasn't always so.

Naima fled war-torn Somalia to migrate to Kenya as a toddler. At 19, she migrated again, this time a refugee, to Australia.

Naima, who was raised by her grandmother as a child, found it challenging connecting with her mother so she left home.
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"When I came into Dress for Success the volunteers made me feel so comfortable."
—Samira, Sydney, Australia
Samira landed in Australia in May 2022. She has had a long and arduous journey, which took seven months of patiently waiting for her to finally reach her destination. Perhaps Samira, is the face of many young Afghans who have had to flee their country to secure their personal freedom when Taliban had forcefully taken over the country.
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"As a pillar of emotional support, DFSS has often helped me focus on my today and future."
—Kateryna , Newcastle, Australia
Kateryna's story is nothing short of inspirational. Kateryna fled the Ukraine in 2022 her 6-year-old daughter, mother, and few belongings. It was a very difficult decision for her to make to leave behind her husband and home in an increasingly volatile Ukraine. As a mother, Kateryna made the arduous journey to Australia for the sake of her daughter, even though it was scary and life-threatening and led her to wonder at times if she really were experiencing these hardships.
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"I went in with little expectations but left feeling so empowered!"
—Imogen, Gold Coast, Australia
Imogen was a single mother who had been through shocking domestic abuse in the past. She was unemployed, and the experience of being “taken away” as a child to another country had left her feeling the need to resonate all her life. She ended up in a bad relationship with a man who used violence against her.

She found the courage to leave the relationship with her daughter not realising she was on the road to finding her true purpose in life.
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"This job offer has provided a huge sense of relief."
—Amie, Sydney, Australia
Amie joined the Success Works program in September 2019. The Success Works Program supports women with a criminal record to build their confidence and resilience, taking necessary steps to reach goals and find employment.  

A mother with a 10 year old criminal record, Amie found it challenging to find long-term work. She had some jobs here and there but none that were sustained or meaningful to her.
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"Without the Success Works Programme, I don’t know where I would be right now."
—Junita, Sydney, Australia
"Without the Success Works Programme, I don’t know where I would be right now mentally, financially or emotionally. I’m able to function as a normal member of society because these women believed that I had the opportunities available to me, and assisted me to achieve them. They have literally changed my life.”
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"It was excellent. The service was great and the ladies were kind and caring"
—Maree, Canterbury, Australia
Maree has 3 children and comes from a family of 10. She is proud of her Aboriginal and Serbian background.

Maree has been studying whilst looking for a job and has undertaken a number of short courses  to assist her in gaining new skills.
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"My experience was helpful, and empowering"
—Judith, Surry Hills, Australia
Judith is 33 and originally from the Congo.  She is the mother of 2 young boys. She used to work as a childcare assistant.
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"Thank you to the fantastic team for going above and beyond and making the day memorable"
—Work Ready Participants, Penrith, Australia
Our mission at Dress for Success Sydney is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
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"My experience with Dress for Success Sydney was unbelievable, I felt so spoilt "
—Kylie, Menai, Australia
Kylie, is a busy single mum and carer for her elderly mother and three-year-old nephew. Unfortunately, in Kylie’s previous workplace she was a victim of bullying and harassment. After taking some time to focus on self-care, Kylie is rejuvenised and ready to return to work. She has just completed her RSA and is actively looking for employment in the hospitality sector or as an assistant in a pharmacy.
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"My experience with Dress for Success Sydney was “Fantastic”."
—Sam, North Sydney, Australia
Dress for Success Sydney offers services to women from all walks of life and all backgrounds. We are proud to be part of the Welcome Here project to show that LGBTIQ diversity is welcomed and celebrated by us.
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"The impact of COVID-19 on my family and me is huge. My salary has been cut by 60 per cent"
—Lillie, Sydney, Australia
Lillie’s story of hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic is sadly a common one amongst our Dress for Success Sydney clients. A single mum, Lillie had been working two part time jobs before the pandemic; one job had to shut down overnight, while her other job has only been able to give her three shifts per week, reducing her salary by 60 per cent. This has forced her to seek help from other family members to keep her going.
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"I felt lost without the help and support of Dress for Success."
—Indah, Sydney, Australia
Indah moved to Australia in 2010 with her family, including her three children for a new life, and sadly after she arrived her relationship broke down and she found herself homeless, without a job or any financial security to provide for her family, including her son who has a disability. Indah knew she needed help to turn her life around but was not sure what to do, she felt lost and helpless.
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TESTIMONIALS
"When you volunteer for Dress for Success Sydney you get back as much (if not more) than you give! I know you ladies always say thank you to us, but I also would like to express my thanks for being able to be a small part of such a great cause!! "
—Volunteer (Dress for Success Sydney)
"“Generous and above all expectations” is how Llusia described her visit. “ I was happy to receive anything. I was looking at having to wear my Mum’s clothes, but they would have been too big! I could really tell the volunteers like what they do. They found clothes that suited me and it has really helped with my confidence. "
—Client (Dress for Success Sydney)