For many women facing poverty, trauma, or major life transitions, simply having something appropriate to wear for an interview, court date, or important appointment can make all the difference. That’s where Wear2Start steps in.

The Victoria nonprofit provides free clothing, accessories, and personal-care items to self-identifying women who need support as they enter a new chapter in their lives. What began nearly 25 years ago as a service helping women dress for job interviews has expanded to meet a much wider range of needs.

“We help self-identifying women find clothing for their next chapter,” said Kim Campbell, a longtime volunteer and board member. “Many walk in with low self-esteem, low confidence. By the end of the appointment, the person they become is very different from the one who walked in.”

Clients are referred by dozens of community organizations—transition houses, newcomer-serving agencies, Indigenous organizations—or they can self-refer online. Before the appointment, staff learn about a client’s style, sizing, and specific needs. At the boutique on Johnson Street, volunteers work one-on-one to assemble complete outfits, often three to six in total, along with shoes, accessories, and a handbag if needed.

Every client also receives a “Care for You” hygiene bag stocked with essentials. For some, those items are life-changing. Campbell recalls one woman opening her bag, seeing the toothbrush, and crying. “She said she and her son shared one because she couldn’t afford her own,” Campbell said. “We take such small things for granted, and the women who come to see us don’t.”

A haircut can also be transformative. Wear2Start partners with four local salons to offer a complimentary cut to first-time clients. “If you haven’t been able to afford a haircut in years, getting one really helps with confidence,” Campbell said.

The impact is immediate and visible. “Many times they’re hugging us,” Campbell said. “People say it’s life-changing.”

Meeting a growing need

Demand for support is rising. Last year, Wear2Start served 226 boutique clients—and the need extends beyond those appointments. The Care for You program has grown significantly, with nearly 800 additional hygiene bags delivered to partner organizations across Greater Victoria, including James Bay New Horizons, the Victoria Native Friendship Centre, TAPS, and the Sooke Shelter.

Wear2Start is also seeing more referrals from Indigenous organizations, newcomer agencies, and youth-serving groups. The boutique has become an affirming space for transgender clients as well. “They said they felt very seen and very safe,” Campbell said. “That’s extremely important to us.”

To ensure every client is met with compassion, volunteers receive training in cultural awareness, trauma-informed care, and how to support survivors of domestic violence. “Every action and every word could have an impact,” Campbell said.

‍Powered by community—and critical funding

This year, Wear2Start received a $24,661.12 Community Grant from the Victoria Foundation to support staffing. Campbell says that funding is essential to keeping the organization stable and able to meet community demand.

“The Victoria Foundation has been historically very generous to us,” she said. “When their grant comes in, it goes right back into supporting operations, which ultimately has an impact on our clients. Without donations and grants, we couldn’t help the people we do.”

As Wear2Start continues its work, the organization is deepening partnerships with nonprofits across the region. The goal is simple: ensure no woman goes without the support she needs to move forward.

For many, that support is more than clothing—it’s dignity, agency, and the confidence to take the next step.

To learn more about Wear2Start or support their work, visit wear2start.com.