7 Ideas for How to Help Those in Need

I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Influence Central for Vanity Fair Lingerie. I received product samples to facilitate my review and compensation to thank me for my participation. #WomenWhoDo #IC (sponsored)

Right now our family is truly blessed. We are blessed to have good jobs and to be able to pay our bills and meet our family's needs. But we haven't always been so lucky. My husband and I have thankfully always been able to find employment, but there were many times in our marriage where finances were tight especially when we were newly married and still going to school. Oh the stories I could tell about how we managed to eat and put gas in our car for two weeks on $50...I still don't know how we managed except to say that we were truly blessed and saw many miracles happen. Because helping others is a cause I am passionate about, today I want to give you a few ideas for how you can help those in need this holiday season!

My family has been lucky, but I know many women and families who aren't. Employment is often difficult to find, the cost of living is high, and getting an education is becoming more and more difficult. I have personally worked with women who are in the process of looking for job and I understand what a difficult process that can be, especially when resources aren't plentiful. I have helped women search for jobs and work towards gaining self-sufficiency. It is not an easy process but the women and families who do it are truly blessed, strengthened and empowered!

To me and those I have spent time working with, a job means security, stability and a bright future. It means food on the table and a roof over our heads. It means that my children will have the best chance for success that they can have. Being independant and providing for our own family is empowering and I think it is one of the core values of a stable society, a desire to work hard and provide for your own needs.

And I find a lot of joy out of helping others feel that same way. Which is one of the reasons that I personally love Dress for Success®! I know that most of you have probably heard about Dress for Success® and I have shared a few other posts about my partnership with them and Vanity Fair because it is truly a cause I believe in. And they do so much more than I ever realized!

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Dress for Success® is an international not-for-profit organization that helps to promote economic independence of disadvantaged women. They do this by providing professional clothing, a network of support and career development tools to help women thrive not only in work but also in life. Dress for Success® helps women like you and me be more and do more. They help women gain confidence, strength and empower them.

While Dress for Success® is known to help women acquire proper work attire, the job acquisition and retention program is truly the cornerstone of their organization. They give women the tools and support they need to succeed in their work environment beyond just getting a job. Dress for Success® believes in helping women become self sufficient and independent which goes beyond clothing and a job. 70% of women that Dress for Success® helps are mothers, typically raising 2-3 children. I am so proud to be able to partner with them to help promote their amazing company.

The good work that Dress for Success® does is truly an inspiration to me and it makes me want to continue to help those around me whenever I can. So I want to share a few tips on How to Help Those in Need so that you can be on the lookout for women and families around you that you can help, especially during this holiday season.

*Please note that this is not an inclusive list and it is not intended to be. Every situation is different. These are just a few ideas I have and a few ways I help serve those around me.

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Listen

Just be a good friend and listen. Before you can know how to help someone, it is important to get to know them, become their friend and listen. Observe, ask questions, listen to their stories and then determine how you can serve.

Know Your Strengths

Know what it is what you can help someone with. Know when you are out of your league. If someone is struggling to fix a deck, I am your girl! If you need help with your legal problems, I am not your girl! But I know someone who might be able to help. After you know what a person needs, offer to help them where you can. And then try to match them up with other people who might be able to assist them in other areas. There are also many companies like Dress for Success® who are simply able to help in ways I am not able to help in, so match people to people and people to companies whenever possible.

Follow Up

If your friend says they have a job interview on Wednesday afternoon, text them Wednesday morning to wish them luck and then call them Wednesday evening to see how it went! The fact that you remembered shows you care. And sometimes that little bit of encouragement is enough to help keep them optimistic or motivated during this difficult time.

Don't Judge

Don't judge or critical. Everyone is fighting a hard battle, what may come easy to you might not come easy to them. Be kind, considerate and never ever critical.

Boost Confidence

Be encouraging, boost their confidence, point out their strengths and diminish their weaknesses. This helps build confidence, self esteem and self worth. Knowing they are good at something is encouraging and lifts spirits, so do your best to lift theirs whenever you can.

Ease Temporal Burdens If You Can

We are all at different places in our lives so this one can be tricky. It can also be tricky to help someone without offending them. But listen to their needs and if there is a way to ease their temporal burdens, do so! Whether it be by babysitting for them while they go to a job interview or bringing them a meal once in a while, a little thought, kindness and service can go a long way to boost someone's moral or ease their burdens.

Love

No matter what, the best way you can truly help someone out is by truly loving them!

Especially this time of year, our family tries to think beyond ourselves and serve others. So whether you want to help a friend towards independence or just spread a little holiday cheer, I know your small efforts will make a big difference in someone else's life.