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International Women's Day- Cathy Kinsman Interview
International Women's Day- Cathy Kinsman Interview
Cathy Kinsman wins RBC Local Hero Award
Can you share any memorable moments or challenges you faced during the early days of establishing The Clothes Closet?
Memorable moment – listening to many stories of survival – women living in abusive relationships who came in said, “I can’t wear that; people will see my bruises.” This was not necessarily a wonderful warm and fuzzy moment, but it spoke to the need within Winnipeg to better support women who were living in some very challenging situations.
The good memory came as the clients walked up the stairs with a bag full of clothing and a new confidence in their faces as well as their steps onward and upward.
Volunteers will laugh about this, but using only the white plastic hangers and hanging everything in the same direction was always a challenge. LOL! We did this because we wanted the clients to feel as if they were having a real shopping experience, thereby forgetting they were in the basement of a church.
What were some of the initial goals or objectives you had for The Clothes Closet?
Winnipeg was the last major city in Canada to have a service like the Clothes Closet. We knew from other programming at SWFIC that there were many women struggling to find their way for job interviews, court appearances, employment training and general presentation in the workforce.
The initial goal, I would say, was to ensure this gap in services, so readily available in other cities in Canada, found footing in Winnipeg. The Clothes Closet was also about empowering women, those with much and those with little, learning, and growing side by side, for the betterment of many. Sometimes, it was challenging for us all to park our biases, volunteers and clients, and just see the person without judgment, and with humanity.
Clothes Closet Logo
Cathy Kinsman and Pat Hodgert speaking at 20th anniversary of Clothes Closet- 2017
What advice would you give to aspiring women leaders who are passionate about making a difference in their communities?
Look for a need, take notice, be present to a gap in services available.
Talk to your circle of friends, your church, your community center. Where are they seeing gaps/problems which could be addressed or improved?
Sometimes, as women, we are hesitant to ask questions or to suggest a service is needed or could be offered in more helpful ways.
Once you identify a need, be sure to do your research. Make sure you are not attempting to double up on a service that is already being provided elsewhere. If it is already being provided, perhaps you could share your passion with those who are already spearheading the effort.
Talk with people who are experiencing or seeing needs that could be addressed.
Network with businesses and places of employment that might get on board to support your initiative either with goods, time, or financial supports. Many large companies/firms are looking for places that volunteers could commit to a short-term or long-term effort. Be sure to acknowledge/thank their contribution(s) – ends up being a win/win for all involved.
Are you proud of what the program has turned into and achieved?
ABSOLUTELY!
Even more, I am proud of the many volunteers who have come on board and stayed through the many challenges and changes which have occurred. The Clothes Closet was always to be about empowering women to find new ways of being their best selves – clients and volunteers. As a volunteer there is great joy and sense of accomplishment when you have helped another to find their way. Often, as volunteers, we may not realize that we too, need support and purpose. Working as a group is camaraderie in action. The action together, can heal the self to move beyond the self. Similarly, the women coming as clients, often come as a small group. The interactions between the clients also grew confidence and courage.
I am so happy to hear the Clothes Closet, a.k.a. “Dress for Success Winnipeg,” continues to thrive as a service for clients and volunteers alike. Women empowering women! Deep gratitude to S.W.F.I.C. for continuing to offer this service, especially when time, space and volunteers are sometimes hard to find in this all-too-fast-paced world.
Fifty years of helping families – Wow! Congratulations South Winnipeg. I am very honoured to have been a small part of some of those years.
Deep gratitude, Cathy Kinsman
Fall Sale 2019- last sale as the Clothes Closet before becoming a Dress for Success
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