Dress for Success Winnipeg program coordinator Eston Ferraton is coming to Portage la Prairie after having received several inquiries for her services. She explains what it's all about and how they're helping women take advantage of all the possibilities our city offers for employment.

"I reached out to Portage and I sort of said, 'Would you like to run an event?,' and we got together and we thought this would be a good idea," says Ferraton. "It's going to be held at Red River College campus there, and everyone who signs up will get a 30-minute clothing appointment. Then they have the option to add any of the other services. So, it's for resumé help, cover letter assistance, and career planning. They also got in contact with a local hair salon and they're going to be offering haircuts and style. Then we have someone there to take pictures for everyone's LinkedIn profile."

Ferraton says her group offers the clothing portion of the service to their clients to help them with their interview clothing. It's all about getting ready for your interview or even in the first couple weeks of your job.

Eston FerratonEston Ferraton

"It's just making sure that they feel the most confident that they could possibly be when they're going into that career interview," explains Ferraton. "That's half the battle, really. If you don't feel good, you're not going to interview well. You're not going to be able to present your best self. I had received some interest from a couple of people from Portage la Prairie. One or two had already come out by the time I had contacted the agencies in Portage. I realized that it was an area that might need this type of assistance."

She adds an event like this took place in Brandon last summer which she felt went quite well, and that could be done here, too

"This is really important for these women to feel this confident," continues Ferraton. "The change that I see in the women that come to the centre here in Winnipeg is amazing. I want to try and spread that as far as I can, physically, because it's so uplifting to see them walk in one way, and leave two hours later a completely different person."

Ferraton says there's not much focus for men, seeing as the barrier isn't there for them as it is for women. She's not aware of a men's service for this sort of thing, but she's looking. 

"We focus on women and non-binary individuals. Some people do men's clothing as well, but to my knowledge, there is no organization like Dress For Success for men in Manitoba. It's really focusing on helping women achieve this economic independence, and helping them achieve that economic independence, helping their families."

The event is set for March 27. She adds she feels excited to hold it and invites you to take part.

"It's going to be really, really fun. We'd like to be able to do it again, too, if the interest is there. I would love to come out as often as I can."