Prom Project ‘game changer’
Students can get glammed up for the big event for no cost
Everyone deserves a night in the spotlight.
The chance to look and feel like royalty; to experience the excitement of trying on dresses and picking out jewelry without the stress that inevitably comes from prom season.
That has been the goal of Prom Project Niagara since it launched in 2009: removing all financial limitations and allowing students the opportunity to feel special and confidant as they embark upon school events.
Now, after a two-year break, the one-day event is coming back to Niagara, providing dresses, suits, shoes, ties, jewelry and accessories for students to browse, try on and take home.
Dressing them up, from head to toe, for free.
Being able to offer formal wear to students has been a “game changer” for families, said Brooke Kochan, assistant program co-ordinator for Education Foundation of Niagara. Particularly during the pandemic, which has put additional pressure on budgets.
“Economically, we’ve all been struggling through the pandemic and a lot of these families that can’t afford those items, really can’t afford (them) now,” she said, adding dresses can cost about $300 to $400.
“Helping those in need … it means a lot to them.”
Rather than worrying about telling their kids they can’t afford a dress or suit, Kochan said Prom Project relieves some of that pressure.
“We’ve had numerous parents
Now these kids can look forward to prom, they can look forward to graduation.
BROOKE KOCHAN EDUCATION FOUNDATION OF NIAGARA
reach out and just say that they’re so thankful that we’re doing this project again,” she said.
“Now these kids can look forward to prom, they can look forward to graduation because they know that they’re going to leave with something.”
Prom Project relies on community support for the clothing, which has worked out well so far.
“It’s just neat to see how many people have been cleaning out their closets and just generously donating some new items. We just received some new purses, some new shoes, Niagara’s Mobile Closet has been awesome,” said Kochan. “We’ve had a lot of donations come in.”
Education Foundation of Niagara — a non-profit charity supporting District School Board of Niagara students in financial need — has outfitted more than 3,000 students for proms, graduations or formals through its Prom Project Niagara program.
The event is open to any Niagara student from any school or school board graduating from grades 6, 8 and 12.
But in understanding the financial constraints COVID-19 has presented families, this year Prom Project is also allowing any non-graduating secondary students in need of formal wear to attend.
The one-day event will run at three Niagara locations on Saturday, May 14: St. Catharines Collegiate, 34 Catherine St., 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Beamsville Secondary School, 4317 Central Ave., 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Fort Erie Race Track, 230 Catherine St., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Students are asked to sign up at their school’s front office by April 29 or email efn@dsbn.org to reserve their spot.
Students with accessibility concerns are asked to contact efn@dsbn.org to arrange a private shopping experience at the St. Catharines location before doors open to the public.