Women In Need (WIN) is a non-profit community service cooperative consisting of an online shop and four resale stores in Victoria, BC (Cook St, Saanich Centre, Pandora St, and Westside Village). Revenue from WIN resale stores, together with donations, funds five empowerment programs, while maintaining costs to operate the non-profit.
“WIN programs are designed to offer support that is low barrier, free of judgment, and meets a participant where they are on their own unique journey between crisis, wellness, and self-sufficiency,” says Nicole Lapierre, Programs Coordinator. “Some of our core values are conscious choice, personal growth and empowerment. This means our programs are both guided by the wisdom of our program participants and that our program participants know best how they can be supported in moving forward.”
Incorporated in December 2005 and actively operating as a co-op since July 2006, WIN helps women, trans, non-binary and Two Spirt people and their families. There are plenty of places to purchase, donate or volunteer with WIN.
We spoke with volunteers Wendy and Franklyn to get the inside scoop on what it’s like to be a part of this vital community cooperative.
What brought you to volunteer with WIN?
Wendy: “When I took early retirement from teaching and we moved from the Mainland to Victoria, I first did some substitute teaching for an ESL school but often felt guilty that I was unable to work as many days or as frequently as they required. I tried volunteering at a local school but, as a volunteer, was restricted in the degree to which I could assist students in a non-teaching role.
About 11 years ago, I noticed the WIN store in the local shopping mall and was super happy to find such a store as I have always liked a bargain. On closer investigation, I discovered this was not just a great place to shop but also supported ‘women in need’ and wonderfully for me, needed volunteers – it was obviously destiny!”
Franklyn: “I’d recently stepped away from a volunteer position steering another non-profit through the COVID crisis. I contacted WIN to continue to be of service to my community and to support women, trans, non-binary, and Two Spirit people.”
What services do you offer as a volunteer?
Wendy: “There is not really a typical day volunteering at WIN but there are specific duties I perform on a regular basis: ‘doing the racks’ which involves ticketing, pricing, sizing and labelling regular or boutique clothing; emptying the boxes and arranging the merchandise on the shelves in an attempt to emulate the high standards and incredible artistry of Julie – the West Side store manager; working the till, usually to cover the regular staff while they are on their breaks; general tidying of racks and shelves, filling in holes, straightening hangers; and acting as a fashion consultant for customers who request it.”
Franklyn: “The days vary widely, but as Volunteer Support, I’m there to sit in on interviews, welcome, learn from, train, advocate and have fun with volunteers. Some volunteers are in high school searching for meaningful service and wanting to gain work experience for developing their early-stage résumé. Others are learning English and trying to establish a new community in a new country. Still others are looking to make their community contributions richer and offer their talents and skills developed over a lifetime. Our volunteers have gravitated towards giving their most precious commodity – their time – to WIN because they feel they have a social responsibility and want to support what the organization does in the community.”
There are volunteer positions at the Donation Centre, at the five retail shops, and in the Administration Office. The Donation Centre volunteers work behind the scenes and help sort, price, and pack up donations.
Volunteers for the Administration Office help with routine office tasks. Volunteers at WIN’s resale shops assist by tagging, pricing, sizing, and putting out new stock, pulling old stock, tidying and organizing, recycling, and helping customers and staff.
What do you love about WIN?
Franklyn: “We work together to support WIN’s programs because we care deeply about the program participants. We are an organization that is invested in growing our knowledge and understanding. WIN hosts training workshops for staff to ensure that we provide the best experience and support that we can in an accessible and empowering way.”
Wendy: “I love that WIN is an organization that makes a difference in the local community. WIN supports program participants with its programs and services and provides customers with a fun, affordable and often exciting shopping experience. The staff are kind and friendly and I love volunteering there.”
What do potential WIN volunteers need to know?
Wendy: “I would like potential volunteers to know that their work will be appreciated. They will be embraced by the WIN community, welcomed and valued. They will have the flexibility to adjust their volunteer schedule according to their needs and will be able to take time off as required. They will be working in a friendly atmosphere alongside wonderful staff, will be trained to fulfill tasks according to their comfort level and, above all, they will have FUN while knowing that they are sincerely helping people in need.”
Franklyn: “As a WIN volunteer, you’ll feel welcomed, valued and receive support and training. Your ideas will be respected. There is flexibility for time commitment, location and attempts to take your interests into account. The range in age, diversity and ability of volunteers and staff is exceptional.”
“Volunteering at WIN has a deep impact on our program participants, our staff and the community,” says Jasmine Philip, Marketing & Communications Coordinator. “In 2022, WIN was able to support over 2,000 program participants, and volunteers play a crucial role in helping WIN thrive and meet the ever-growing demand for our programs.”
For more information, visit www.womeninneed.ca or call 250-480-4006 extension 204.
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