Kitchener shop teaches business skills to women facing employment barriers

KITCHENER — You can score a sweet pair of vintage shoes or that perfect accessory while helping women gain valuable job skills and hands-on experience at a new downtown Kitchener shop.

In Her Shoes is the storefront of the YW Kitchener-Waterloo’s eight-week program for people facing significant barriers to employment.

Participants will be able to practise retail job skills in the safe space of the store, while learning how to develop their unique small business ideas, including an online presence.

“This is something that is going to be really positive,” said Jennifer Gordon, the YW’s director of youth services.

The shop has its official opening at 84 Frederick St., Kitchener, on Tuesday. It will be open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The online shop at in-her-shoes-kw.myshopify.com will launch on Feb. 27.

Gordon called the program — which received a provincial grant last fall of nearly $75,000 — a positive new direction for the YW that will help women in a “new and unique way.”

The first group started last week. During the pilot year, there will be five sessions of three participants each. The smaller groups allow for one-on-one time to “really work with participants wherever they’re at.”

The program helps fill a gap in the community for women, who often work part-time, at multiple jobs and earn minimum wage — not to mention the “confidence gap,” said Gordon.

“It’s so easy to be able to convince yourself that you cannot possibly do this,” she said.

Participants will learn the fundamentals of business and online ventures, which will also allow them to gain income while continuing to work.

People in the community who want to support the program can shop or donate gently used shoes and accessories to the store.