Media information: 24 July 2006

Dress for Success, a charity which helps women in need, dressed its 4000th Auckland client in July.

The charity boosts the job prospects of women returning to the workforce by providing free interview appropriate clothes, career tips and grooming advice.

Around 60% of Dress for Success clients are successful in getting jobs and for many this marks the beginning of a new era in their lives, and indirectly that of their families.

"Since opening our doors in 1999, we've made a difference to the lives of around 800 Auckland women a year as they transition from dependency to self sufficiency", says Amanda Paull, Executive Manager of Dress for Success Auckland. " Importantly their families and the broader community have benefited from the positive example these women provide to those around them"

Women are referred to Dress for Success by social service agencies or training providers and need to be actively seeking work to qualify for an appointment. The organisation relies on the donations of quality used clothing and accessories, predominantly from professional women and is constantly short of plus size clothing.

"Around 60% of our clients are over size 14 so this is a real need for us to ensure we can outfit them in something smart for interviews", says Amanda.

Clothes can be dropped off to branches of Maxwells and NZ Drycleaners, locations of which are featured on the Dress for Success website. The organisation expects demand for its services to grow as more women are encouraged back into the workforce by the Labour Government's pro work policies and Auckland's population continues to expand.

"Social statistics suggest that we're only scratching the surface, and that we need to boost awareness of our service amongst low income women", observes Amanda.

ENDS

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