“Surrounded by encouraging/helpful women who saw her strength & beauty, and could help her see it too”

In 2015, Kendra came to Dress for Success as a part of her process of starting over.

She had previously trained in accounting, had a good job, and a closet full of clothes. However, her life turned upside when she made the decision to leave her abusive partner in order to make a better life for her and her son. This was all the more difficult because Kendra’s son developed several health problems and she was forced to quit her job to take care of him. With only the clothes on their backs, they left to make a new beginning.

In order to move forward, Kendra began taking a hotel hospitality program at the YWCA. It was there that she heard about Dress for Success. Although she was not initially interested, her mother and son pushed her to make an appointment and give it a try.

Before her appointment, Kendra was nervous and wanted to cancel. She was worried that the women at Dress for Success would be judgmental and that she would not feel comfortable or welcome. Shortly after arriving, all of her fears disappeared. The women helping her were friendly and kind. She felt badly about taking up their time, but they told her, “This is your time now.” Kendra says she felt like Vivian in “Pretty Woman” because of the way the volunteers treated her and the many beautiful clothing items she tried on and took home with her.

Kendra believes the value of Dress for Success is the confidence and self-esteem it creates for its clients. She says that she had stopped feeling beautiful and proud of herself because of the abuse she faced in her relationship. Dress for Success gave Kendra the opportunity to be surrounded by encouraging and helpful women who saw her strength and beauty, and could help her see it too.

She is very grateful that her mother and son pushed her to make an appointment at Dress for Success. Kendra has regained the confidence to apply for jobs with the help of the professional outfits she received, the women who helped her at DFS Saskatoon and the knowledge that she took her life back.