Cire’s First Impressions Clothing Exchange (FICE) program’s StepUp project is an empowering weekly program of group workshopping and 1:1 mentoring. StepUp helps participants stand tall by helping enhance their employability, pathways to training, greater financial security and independence, and gender equality.
Our pilot StepUp program was such a success we are hoping to offer it ongoing, subject to funding.
Based at Lilydale in Melbourne’s outer east, StepUp draws on FICE’s grassroots work with long-term unemployed and vulnerable women in the region, supported by established networks across the community and beyond.
FICE participants typically experience overlapping discrimination/disadvantage, complex challenges and a heightened risk of falling through the cracks of support. FICE empowers these women through a wrap-around approach involving education/upskilling/ mentoring/personal development/hands-on work experience in a safe, non-judgmental, supportive environment.
StepUp with FICE includes:
Cire’s FICE empowers vulnerable women to be their best selves; engage meaningfully in community life and employment, fostering community connectedness/belonging; and achieve financial security and independence. StepUp helps further increase women’s confidence self-worth, leading to improved mental health; and fosters friendships and increased community connectedness.
The following feedback highlights the success of our pilot program:
Highlighting the vulnerability of women in the Yarra Ranges LGA and the need for FICE's wrap-around approach, are the following 2021 Census statistics:
Project data will be collected through:
At a pre-intake interview, personal pathways and action plans are determined, then reviewed regularly to allow participants to evaluate personal progress, assist data collection & analysis, help measure program success and enable FICE to report effectively on participant & program outcomes.
Network partners will further contribute to the program evaluation process through workshops and forums. Lessons and learnings through the evaluation process help inform refinements to the StepUp program.
Cire Services Inc. is one of the largest, most reputable NFPs in the Yarra Ranges in Melbourne’s outer east with an increasing presence in the City of Casey and Cardinia Shire. A registered charity and unique to the region, we provide flexible learning opportunities, education and training and a depth and breadth of innovative community programs and services to help meet the needs of, and empower, all those within our reach.
We are committed to connecting people of all ages, interests and backgrounds, providing lifelong learning opportunities and supporting communities to identify and address their own needs. We aim to help individuals be their best, particularly those experiencing socio-economic disadvantage and marginalisation, and in doing so, help strengthen families and communities.
Since commencing as Upper Yarra Community House in 1976, Cire has expanded enormously to meet local needs through its core services of Cire Training, our award-winning Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and including First Impression Clothing Exchange (FICE) Program for vulnerable women; Community School for at-risk youth; Cire Early Learning; and Cire Community Hubs.
Employing approx. 280 people, we operate through outreach and at sites in Lilydale, Yarra Junction, Mount Evelyn, Chirnside Park, and Monbulk in the Yarra Ranges; Berwick in the City of Casey and Pakenham in Cardinia Shire.
90%+ of our revenue is in tied government funding. We rely on grants to fund our programs.
