— Find out a little more
ABOUT US
Working Gear is a volunteer-run charity located in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood of Vancouver, BC. We have had the privilege of serving our clients since 2007. We rely on the generous support of individuals, businesses, and organizations to provide industry-appropriate clothing and haircutting services to individuals experiencing unemployment or underemployment.
OUR MISSION
To relieve poverty by providing industry-appropriate clothing, gear and supports at no cost to low-income or unemployed individuals in search of employment.
OUR VALUES
We exist to improve lives by supporting our clients and the community. We treat everyone with compassion, respect, and kindness
We recognize society’s interconnectedness. We are committed to addressing social inequities and we use our voice to advocate for positive change
Collaboration is the backbone of Working Gear. We aim to form long-lasting relationships and partnerships with our clients, referral agencies, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and advocates that are rooted in trust and integrity.
Staying curious is what keeps us on a continual path of learning and growing. We are committed to listening and learning from those around us, enabling us to innovate, adapt, and solve problems
We strive to make a sustainable impact in the lives of our clients and the community as a whole. We recognize hard work and celebrate the successes of our community
Hot off the press — Working Gear’s 2023 Annual Report!
We’re thrilled to share what we’ve been up to over the last fiscal year with our community. Find out how many people we helped get back to work, learn more about the programs and services we offer, and hear about the impact of our work from clients themselves.
Download them here:
Working Gear 2023 Annual Report
Working Gear 2021-22 Annual Report
Working Gear 2020-21 Annual Report
Working Gear is a registered charity, all of Working Gear’s filings and reporting to the Canadian Revenue Agency can be found here.
Have questions or want to learn more? Email info@workinggear.ca
New Report! Benchmarking The Environmental And Economic Value Of Working Gear’s Clothing Recirculation Program
— Our dedicated
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Working Gear is almost entirely managed and run by a team of volunteers. We have a diverse volunteer Board of Directors and Advisors, who are all dedicated to ensuring the organization is a success.
JULIA BAHEN
CHAIR
PETER CRAWFORD
CHAIR
CHRIS ADAMS-BRUSH
TREASURER
JENNA HILDEBRAND
SECRETARY
GARTH WHITE
CONSULTANT
SARAH MAYER
COMMUNICATIONS
JENEA GOMEZ
AIDA TAJBAKHSH
— Our trusted
ADVISORS
CAL CHAN
In-House Stylist and Operations Coordinator
STEPHEN FLYNN
Co-founder, Special Advisor/p>
BARB MIURA
Operations Manager
CLARE MCKENNA
Grants Advisor
SARAH BELEY, DIRECTOR
Sarah Beley leads Working Gear in its mission to relieve poverty by providing essential clothing to unemployed and low-income individuals as they transition back into the workforce. As the non-profit organization’s sole employee, Sarah guides a team of volunteers to support her in all functions.
An active member of the local community, Sarah forges strong partnerships with local employment agencies, homeless shelters and community organizations to ensure Working Gear helps everyone who needs it.
In Working Gear’s shop, Sarah manages both back and front-of-house operations alongside the organization’s volunteer Operations Manager, Barb Miura. Most recently, Sarah created an on-site barber shop so clients can get a haircut and present their best face on the job. More often than not, she is the friendly face greeting clients as they walk through the door and helping them find the right gear.
Sarah has a degree in Political Science from Simon Fraser University, with a major in Public Policy and a minor in Dialogue Communications, and a graduate diploma in Sustainable Community Development. In 2015, Sarah completed the prestigious Radius Fellowship program, a premium development for emerging social innovators. In 2019, she received the City of Vancouver’s Award of Excellence, which recognizes those who lead projects that create a thriving, healthy, and liveable city for everyone.
— Some of our wonderful
Sponsors
MAILING ADDRESS
For Regular Mail Only – No Clothing Donations
PO Box 88495
Chinatown RPO
Vancouver, BC
V6A 4A7
Working Gear operates on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of the xwməθkwəy̓ əm (Musqueam), the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səl̓ ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. As an organization, we are committed to supporting our Indigenous clients, community members and neighbours through our services, and we remain focused on embodying the principles of anti-racism and decolonization in all that we do.