Who We Are
Dress Your Best is a registered charity that contributes to the relief of poverty in Toronto. Over 50 volunteers participate in DYB activities on a regular basis.
History & Founder
Founded in 2000 by Founder and Executive Director Jessica Roelink (jessicaroelink@dressyourbest.ca), the organization is volunteer-driven, utilizing the skills of many talented people. Since its inception, Dress Your Best was born out of a desire to offer clothing and to provide a one-on-one service that gives clients support, encouragement and confidence.
- 2004 Winner of the City of Toronto Volunteer of the Year Award
- 2006 National Volunteer Award Winner, Flare Magazine
- 2008 Top 40 Under 40 Nominee
- EDWorx Executive Directors Networking Association or Charities and NPOs
- Member of the The Kiwanis Club of Toronto Foundation
Board of Directors
| Susan Reid, CFA Susan Reid is a CFA with over 15 years of experience in financial markets, primarily in financial forecasting and marketing to institutions. Susan brings strategic insight and plans to expand our relationships with strategic corporate partners. |
| Karen Hutchison, Human Resources Director, Ernst & Young Canada Karen has been at Ernst and Young for the past eight years, where she has been a trusted business partner on strategic people matters for the Audit and Advisory services practice. Her background prior to EY was in the technology sector, and included roles in Organization Development and Leadership Development in Canada, the US and Europe. Karen holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Western Ontario and a Master's in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from Queen's University. She has completed post-graduate training in Consulting, Leadership Development, Organization Development and Human Interaction. She most recently received a diploma in coaching from Corporate Coach U (ICF accredited). Her experience in coaching includes Ernst & Young partners, directors and senior managers in both client serving and support roles as well as external not-for-profit clients. |
| Sandra Singer, Senior Associate, PricewaterHouse Coopers Sandra Singer works as a Senior Associate at Pricewaterhouse Coopers. She is a chartered accountant who uses her an accounting background to teach part time at the Schulich School of Business. Sandra's focus with Dress for Success is assisting the charity's efforts in building a virtual career centre and Board re-engineering. |
| Sheldon Bell, Project Manager, TD Canada Trust Sheldon Bell is a business and technology project manager that has worked since 1992 at the TD Bank Financial Group leading initiatives up to $5 million in size. Sheldon brings his experience in budgeting, financial management, and project planning and execution to the board. |
| Stephanie Tjon, Legal Counsel, Ontario Securities Commission Stephanie Tjon currently practices securities law in the financial regulatory environment, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. Prior to commencing her legal career, she practised as a Senior Chartered Accountant with KPMG LLP. Stephanie completed the Boardmatch Leaders program in 2008 and will use the skills developed through this training with her legal and accounting background to support the on-going governance initiatives of Dress for Success. |
| David Gonsalves, Controller, Magna David Gonsalves has been a friend and member of the Dress Your Best / Dress For Success Toronto board for the past 7 years. He is a chartered accountant who uses his financial background to prepare financial reporting and budget deliverables, and develop policies to ensure fiscal responsibility. |
Advisory Board
| Sarah Saso, Director of Community Relations, Manulife Financials |
| Natalie Penno, Vice President, GMM, Holt Renfrew |
| Marla Akler, Foundation/Community Relations at Gap Inc. |
| Theo Caldwell, Vice President, Caldwell Investment Management Ltd |
| Brad Offman, Vice President, Strategic Philanthropy at Mackenzie Financial |
| Lisa Au, Manager Strategic Initiatives at RBC |
| James Temple, PwC Canada Foundation Leader, PriceWaterHouseCoopers |
| George Vesely, President, Vesely Consulting |
Our Volunteer Team
Supporting Committees / Volunteer Opportunities
- Budget & Finance Committee
- Marketing and Public Relations
- Human Resources
- Volunteer Development
- Corporate Donations and Fundraising
- Retail Clothing Collection Program
Community Partnerships
- Association of Image Consultants International (AICI)
- Ryerson - Fashion Departament
- George Brown College - Fashion Departament
- Humber College - Fashion Departament
- Women's Alliance
Corporate Sponsors
Our corporate sponsors include:
- GAP
- PricewaterhouseCoopers
- Ontario Power Generation
- AimTrimark
BMO Capital Markets Click to read about Jessica Roelink's appearance at the
"Opening Doors" Executive Network Breakfast,
May 21, 2010
To become a corporate sponsor, or for more information about corporate sponsorship, email corporaterelations@dressyourbest.ca
Strategic Partners
The following agencies have been referring clients to us since 2000:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | W | Y
A
Abrigo Centre
Ability Learning Network
Accessible Community Counseling & Employment Services (ACCESS)
Adult Learning Centre - Ontario Works
B
Breakaway
Breakthrough
Building Economic Self-Sufficiency (B.E.S.S.)
C
Canadian Mental Health Association
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Canadian Red Cross Society
Career Solutions Employment Counseling (York Region)
Centennial College
Central Social Services
Centre for Experienced Workers
Chesswood Job Finding Club
Children's Aid Society
Church of Redeemer
Colagen
Comcare
Comprehensive Rehabilitation & Mental Health Services (COTA)
Concerned Citizens of Ontario
COSTI/Humber College
Culture Link
D
Dixie Bloor Employment Program
Dixon Hall
Downtown Churchworkers Association (D.C.A)
E
Epilepsy Toronto
Etobicoke Girls Residence
Eva's Phoenix
F
Fred Victor Centre
Friends for Poverty Relief
Friends for Success
Furniture Bank
H
High Park & Parkdale Social Services
Homeward
Horizons for Youth
I
Ingles House - Loft Community Services
J
Jane/Finch Concerned Citizen's Organization
Jewish Family Service
Jewish Vocational Services (J.V.S)
Job Connect Centennial College
John Howard Society of Toronto
K
Kenyan Community in Ontario
L
Labour Link
Live to Give
M
Margaret's Women's Services
Massey Centre
Metro Hall Social Services
Microsoft Office - Ontario Works
Microsoft Office Professional Plus
Miziwe Biik Aboriginal Employment and Training
N
Native Child and Family Services of Toronto
NA-ME-RES (Native Men's Residence)
Nellie's Community Support and Outreach Program
Newcomer Women's Services Toronto
O
Oasis Addiction Recovery Society
Office Workers Career Centre
Ontario Disability Support Program
Ontario March of Dimes Job Finding Club
Ontario Works
Operation Springboard
Operation Springboard - Youth at Work
Onlineabilities.com
P
Parachute Community Employment Centre
Project Work
Q
Quality Continuous
R
Red Door Family Shelter (Woodgreen)
Rexdale Youth Resource Centre (YMCA)
Rosalie Hall
S
Salvation Army
Scarborough Job Finding Club
Scarborough North Social Service Centre
Scarborough Women's Centre - ESS Program
Serve!
Sistering
Social Services East York
Springboard
St. Christopher's House - Employment Preparation Program
St. Leonard's Society of Toronto
St. Stephens Community Service
Street Health
Street Help Line
Sunnybrook and Women's Employment Services
Supportive Housing Coalition of Metropolitan Toronto
T
Times Change Women's Employment Services
Toronto District School Board
Toronto Social Services
Touchstone Youth Centre
Transition House
W
Weston King Neighbourhood Centre
Women's Residence Dundas West
Woodgreen Community Centre
Working Skills Centre (WSC)
Workplace Connections
World Vision Canada
Y
YMCA - O'Connor Focus Community
Yonge Street Mission
Youth Employment Service (YES)
Youth Employment Service - Job Camp
Youth Opportunities
Youth Without Shelter (Y.W.S)