Suit Yourself

Last Updated (Wednesday, 28 September 2011 17:34) Written by Andrew Paul Wednesday, 28 September 2011 17:23

suit_yourself_00005-CMYK success stories

In high end clothing boutiques, personalized service is the norm.  Knowledgeable sales staff help each customer select a wardrobe best suited to her needs and style.  This is the model for Suit Yourself.  The mandate of this small non-profit is to provide good quality business clothes, free of charge, to women who have found themselves in disadvantaged circumstances.  Rather than a department store atmosphere, where customers rummage through racks and bins, Suit Yourself offers private, one-on-one assistance to clients.

Karmen Masson is the founder and executive director of Suit Yourself.  She wanted to help women going through some tough times be confident as they transition back to the workforce or face that looming job interview.  Clients are referred by social service agencies and the organization relies on donations of clothing and accessories to provide the women with a professional wardrobe.

After several years operating out of a classroom in a former school, the organization moved to a storefront location that was more accessible for their donors and clients and better fit their concept of the boutique experience.  With demand for the service increasing and the volume of donations overwhelming the small space, it became clear that their storefront location was not adequate.  So, in 2010, the organization made a request to the Edmonton Community Foundation for one year funding for an expansion project.  The funding they received will allow them to secure extra storage space for donations and build a small private office for meetings.  The expansion also allows them to accommodate the increased interest in volunteer opportunities.

The grant came at a crucial time.  With the funding for the expansion in place they now have some breathing room to seek out other funding sources to help sustain the valuable service they provide to their clients.

"Suit Yourself is not just about providing a good wardrobe," explains Karmen. "It's about instilling self-confidence and giving encouragement to women who have faced some struggles and are looking for a new start.  We now have the room to continue this."

Community Grants Program

The original funders of the Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) had the wisdom and foresight to realize the value of having a fund that would allow ECF to remain flexible to emerging community needs.  The Community Fund is discretionary and was established to ensure that any urgent community issues could be addressed through the Community Grants Program. 

< Prev   Next >