Hello Summer!
As we move from our rain-filled days in British Columbia’s beautiful coastal rainforest, we look forward to the good weather ahead. With each season change, we welcome a different climate and these changes bring the opportunity for more and new WORK!
Have you heard the old joke in Vancouver?
“We have FOUR seasons here….Fall, Winter, Spring and CONSTRUCTION.“
The rise in temperatures allows more outside projects, meaning a greater need for Working Gear. As the temporary labour market scrambles to find Men & Women for development and renovation projects, the demand for our services is even higher.
Working Gear Has Answered The Call-To-Work for a Decade
Wherever our clients are destined to end up, Working Gear is dedicated to providing the essential first steps. Our own story is an inspiration to teamwork and workplace attentions. Throughout the years, Working Gear has been able to add additional service. We currently are able to offer haircuts, interview clothes, construction gear, and of course, work boots. Here is our Story:
2007 The Vision
Working Gear opened its doors with the vision of Founder Stephen Flynn.
“To relieve poverty by providing interview clothing and/or industry appropriate clothing to low income or unemployed Men in search of employment.”
2007-2010 The Call
“More than 50 percent of the people working in British Columbia are living paycheque to paycheque” “In Metro Vancouver, between 2007 and 2014, the increase in … expenses overall were 18%, while the median income of two-parent, two-child families only increased by 10%,” – vancouversun.com
Unemployment rates in BC dropped from 7.7% ( 2009) to 4.6% (2018). We answered this opportunity levelling the field for lower-income families.
Working Gear found partners in organizations locally and internationally.
2010 The Answer
From Chinatown, Working Gear helped over 730 men in just 3 years.
That summer, with the help of a Community Grant from Vancity the “No Small Feet” Campaign, was created with a Goal of 400 boot donations.
Media took up the cause supporting the campaign with mentions by:
GobalTV, CBC Early Edition, The Bill Good Show CKNW 980, Miss604, Indpt. Reporters.
2012 Community Support Grew
Media Supports partners broadcast our message: Boot drive over boot drive.
CBC Early Edition, Global TV, Global BC are regular supporters.
2016 The Era Of Fundraisers
On June 29th – Working Gear hosted it’s inaugural #GearToGive fundraiser at Bull Housser.
2017 The Setback
A Leaky roof collapsed: Working Gear was forced to move and recover a loss of donations.
2018 Community to the rescue
Working Gear moved to the Downtown East Side (DTES).
Community Supporters hosted fundraisers. Supporters like:
Vancouver Facial Hair Club, Tonia Jurbin & BC Hydro, Whisky Wisemen.
Volunteers Awareness Campaign – Volunteers distribute 400 high visibility Vests to Homeless
We answered WorkBC’s call out that 14 800 jobs posted in the region. Our New Goal: to help 1000+ men return to the workforce in 2018!
2019 Working Gear Today, Your Story Begins here.
We know there are increasingly more women in the trades
We have seen a 50% increase in the number of clients served this year alone.
SUCCESS – We have provided for 1,000 clients in 2018. On a given busy day, 10 – 12 clients requiring five or six volunteers.
We have 28 Booking Agencies booking in motivated men and women.
ON JUNE 6th: Our 4th Annual Fundraiser: Goal $100 000 to expand reach help 1000+ man and women return to the workforce.
Can you imagine yourself here?
Our doors are open 3 days: 2 hr/ day.