Dress for Success Luxembourg held a press conference on Thursday afternoon at the Private Business Centre on Bld d'Avranches in Luxembourg city centre.
Jill Griffin, President of the Luxembourg association, explained that since its launch a few weeks ago, they have received a very positive response from sponsors. Firstly, the Private Business Center have provided office facilities for the initiative free-of-charge for the first six months - acknowledged as being in an ideal location, being so close to ADEM, the unemployment office. Secondly, Pall Center has donated €10,000 worth of new clothes, then Diversity has also come on board, as well as Northern Trust, an American bank, with cash sponsorship.
Other sponsors have included an image designer, an insurance company, a furniture shop and others which have donated items such as a computer. All together, the professional agencies have understood the project and Dress for Success Luxembourg is working with ADEM's consultants.
Jill explained that the project is very serious and will help women present themselves professionally at interviews so that they will increase their chances of getting back into the workforcve. The initiative is aimed at women who may have been outside the workforce for a while and who may not have the resources to fund an "interview wardrobe".
The association is also talking with professional agencies where some women may have been made redundant, as well as with foyers where there are young women who maybe have never had a job.
Jill also explained that the association is currently finalising an agreement with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council where their accreditation process will include spending some time with Dress for Success clients.
Caroline Fauville also explained that Dress for Success is not only about getting employment, it's also about keeping a job and having a career. The service went live on 15 January and they already have their first clients. The service is completely free-of-charge to sponsors - the services and clothes are given for free, not loaned - and there are no eligibility criteria to be a client, apart from being a woman, being unemployed and actively looking for a job and have a firm interview lined up.
Dress for Success was initially set up for disadvantaged women in Haarlem, New York City, in 1997; the concept has now spread to many countries.
The service has been described as a Cinderalla story, with the women clients not looking for a prince, but a job. The association is also calling for more sponsorship as their initial funding is just for the first 6 months.
The website (www.dressforsuccess.org/luxembourg) is now live (currently in English only) and has launched a call for volunteers. To date 34 volunteers have signed up, covering 15 languages, as well as an Office Manager (volunteer). Other profiles still needed include a Stock Manager, a Personal Shopper, Administrator, etc.
Photo by Geoff Thompson (above, L-R): Jill Griffin (seated) with other board members
