By Mikayla van Loon
Women’s empowerment and training opportunity shop First Impressions Clothing Exchange (FICE) has grown exponentially in its three years, taking on its next phase in Lilydale.
Having established a name for itself in Mooroolbark, FICE officially launched its new location in John Street on Friday 10 February.
Joining the rest of Cire Services at its new premises, FICE now has a purpose built shop on level one where women can learn, purchase new clothes and reconnect with the community.
“What we really aim to do is to grow the brand and to grow FICE to reach more community members and support more women,” FICE coordinator Renee Cooke said.
“We’d like to work really closely with other organisations, Workforce Australia, and other organisations where we can collectively and holistically support women for a better future.”
Having moved into the 7-9 John Street building in November, Ms Cooke said the last few months have been about making the shop’s presence known and gaining new connections.
“It’s been amazing. We couldn’t have done it without the help of the community, our volunteers and Cire’s support,” she said.
“To come from Mooroolbark which people came to know and love to make the transition here into this beautiful big space, purpose built shop that we can only just then enhance on the programs and the opportunities for women.”
Cire CEO Gus Seremetis said although one of the smallest aspects of what the organisation offers, FICE has come to be one of the services making the biggest impact.
“It may be the smallest in size and revenue, if you want to measure it like that but it has a huge impact in our community and hopefully will continue to do so,” she said.
With the main focus of Cire being to educate, Ms Seremetis said while it is about equal opportunity and empowerment, what FICE does is provide a place of comfort and a space to be confident in your ability.
“It’s really important to appreciate that people learn in different ways and all of us are made up differently, all of us have varying levels of coping mechanisms and it’s nice to be able to have a place of service where women feel comfortable.
“First of all, they come to us to open up and then to also be able to move through their next journey whatever that may look like. It doesn’t have to be that you’re going to volunteer or get a job or it could be anything that you aspire to.”
For the women FICE has helped over the course of three years, not only did emotions of gratitude and love come across, a sense of friendship has also been established.
One volunteer who had been a regular visitor at the FICE shop had been struggling after losing her job and feeling isolated during the lockdowns but a simple ‘how are you’ from Ms Cooke led to connections and support she hadn’t expected.
“Two weeks later, I had my first shift at FICE it was on a Friday, the day of my choice with the hours I felt comfortable working, which was a three hour shift from 12 to 3pm,” she said.
“Renee introduced me to the other volunteers that were working that day and they were all so welcoming. Renee spent a lot of time that shift getting to know me, chatting with me and giving me advice and support.
“It was on such a personal level that I came away from there feeling like I had a place to go where I felt comfortable and fitted in with no pressure.”
After a few months she returned to her old self, remembered her self worth and confidence and will be starting a new job in disability support later this month.
“I’d like to thank Renee and Cire for everything they’ve supported me in over the last six months and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support.”
Aiming to increase the support FICE can offer, Ms Cooke said this year FICE would like to raise $10,000 to host free pampering days for women, as well as divert 2.5 tonnes of clothing from landfill, while continuing to support women in their career and educational endeavours.
The new FICE store is located on level one at 7-9 John Street, Lilydale and is accessible by public transport being just a short walk from Lilydale train station.
