CLOTHES MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE By Melissa Walsh Photo Yanni
I
t has been said that clothing has a significant effect on self-esteem and confidence, and the volunteers at Clothes4U are in the frontline to witness this every day. The business that started four years ago, when a group of local women got together to talk about how they could serve the community better, provides clothing and accessories to women who have very little. President and CEO Clothes4U, Veronica Whittaker, is dedicated to serving women and girls in need in her own community. “Being born into poverty does not have to define your life. Sometimes all you need is someone to give you a helping hand. At Clothes4U our arms are always open, ready to embrace everyone who walks through our doors,” said Veronica. “Our motivation was to address the actual needs of women. I knew a lot of people in the community and I also volunteered for another group, so I could see what was needed. We dress women for rental interviews, special occasions, and we recently dressed a whole lot of women for the NAIDOC ball.”
E ssence
22 | PENINSULA
August 2017
Veronica, who works alongside a team of volunteers, says the emphasis is on everyday wear. “Our service is totally free. We give them good quality clothing, accessories and toiletries, as most of them don’t have any of these things. We also have baby clothes for those in need,” says the former lawyer who has practised in the US and Australia. “We are all retired women here who volunteer. It’s not just the clothes we give women; it’s the confidence and self-esteem that comes from the positive attitude and the encouragement that the volunteers give to the clients.” While there are a number of professional services for women on the peninsula, Clothes4U addresses the issue of raising confidence and self-esteem in those women who need it most. “Our idea was to pamper women who were fragile and damaged. We wanted to provide clothing and accessories to women who have very little,” said Veronica, who started the business in her spare room with no clothes, no premises, and no money. “We were, however, determined to move