Volunteers Needed – Introducing the Helping Women Now National Program!

We are excited to announce the relaunch and rebrand of www.HelpingWomenNow.ca

Helping Women Now is a virtual support service designed to assist women and non-binary individuals anywhere in Canada to get the help they need—right now.

Powered by Dress for Success Canada Foundation, Helping Women Now has a mission to ensure women and non-binary individuals thrive personally and professionally. Dress for Success Canada Foundation is among Canada’s most recognized registered charities in support of gender equity, economic independence, and workforce development for women and non-binary individuals.

Helping Women Now was developed, with the support of Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), as a response to the losses caused by the pandemic and to get women and non-binary individuals back to work. The goal of Helping Women Now is to provide support for women and non-binary individuals who face barriers in finding employment or accessing resources in their communities. We strive to empower and uplift those who have been marginalized and help them achieve their career and personal aspirations.

We are currently recruiting volunteers to be a part of this program! This unique opportunity offers volunteers the chance to work with individuals from across the country on your own schedule and from the comfort of your own home/office.

The Helping Women Now initiative provides an opportunity for Dress for Success Clients across Canada to virtually connect with a supportive volunteer. The program is available across all 13 Canadian Dress for Success Affiliates, providing guidance to underserved and vulnerable women nationwide.

Women and non-binary individuals in Canada need your support right now. Bring your skills to the table and join us. We are looking for individuals who can offer virtual one-on-one support, review resumes and cover letters, carry out practice interviews, and more.

Do you or someone you know have a skillset and passion that can contribute to supporting women and non-binary individuals in their careers? All we ask is a commitment of a few hours a month to help individuals in need – and we will provide the training, tools and support necessary to virtually connect with our clients.

We’re looking for volunteers who can provide support in one (or both) of the following ways:

  1. Resource Support offers clients a chance to work with a virtual volunteer to research available resources and create an action plan based on their questions or concerns. Clients can book an appointment that is either tailored to navigating Community Resources or Government Resources depending on their needs. Resource Support Specialists are provided with tools and training to help clients navigate local resources in a supportive one-on-one virtual environment.

Community Resource Appointments allow clients to work alongside their Specialist to navigate local resources based on the topics they want to address. These topics can include, but are not limited to:

  • Housing and food insecurity

  • Financial guidance

  • Childcare

  • Mental health supports

Government Resource Appointments* provide clients the opportunity to navigate and research what government programs and benefits are available and applicable to their current situation alongside a supportive virtual volunteer. This can include, but is not limited to:

  • Employment Insurance

  • Finding benefits on the Government of Canada’s website

  • Navigating the CRA website

  • Provincial benefits

*Volunteers will not fill out and submit forms on behalf of clients. Under no circumstance may volunteers collect a client’s personal, medical, or banking information.

  1. Career & Employment Support offers clients virtual assistance through Resume & Cover Letter Review sessions or Practice Interview sessions depending on where they are in the job search process. Career Support Specialists are individuals who have previous professional experience in the sectors of Human Resources or Hiring and Recruitment. These volunteers will use their experience and professional background to help clients create and polish their resumes and practice their interview skills to best set them up for success.

Resume & Cover Letter Review Sessions provide clients with the opportunity to prepare for the application process by building and editing their resumes and cover letters in a supportive virtual environment.

Practice Interview Sessions allow clients to practice their interview skills by role-playing an interview simulation with their virtual Specialist whilst getting tips and feedback.

Interested? Want to learn more? Please fill out the volunteer intake form below and let’s get started!

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