By: Kloey Marlatt
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (UATV) – Prom season is just around the corner, and for many high school students, it’s a night to remember. But for some families, the cost of a dress, shoes and accessories can be overwhelming. That’s why a collaboration of local organizations has stepped in to make sure every teen has the opportunity to shine on prom night—without the financial burden.
On Saturday, March 1, Dress for Success partnered with NWA Single-mom Sisterhood to host a free prom dress giveaway at the Center for Nonprofits in Rogers. The event, called “Gownsational”, was aimed to help teens find the perfect dress at no cost, ensuring that financial struggles don’t stand in the way of making cherished memories.
“Prom is such an exciting time, and for those who aren’t able to feel beautiful because they don’t have the resources for prom, we don’t want that to be prohibited for anyone,” said Rachel Cox, executive director of Dress for Success. “So, I think for me the thing I’m most looking forward to is just seeing these young women know that they are beautiful and capable.”
The event featured hundreds of donated dresses in a wide range of styles, sizes and colors. Students were able to browse the selection, try on dresses, and take home the one that makes them feel their best. In addition to dresses, accessories such as shoes, jewelry and handbags were also available—ensuring that students could put together a full prom look at no cost.
“Gownsational” was first launched last spring by the NWA Singlemom Sisterhood, and provided more than 100 dresses free of charge. However, this year, organizers aimed to make an even bigger impact by expanding their resources and outreach efforts.
Focused on empowering women to achieve economic independence, Dress for Success was able to offer more than just formal attire this year. The non-profit had its full list of professional development services available including resume review, interview preparation, and job placement assistance. This added element ensures that young women not only feel confident for prom, but that they have access to tools and skills that can help them build a successful future. However, “Gownsational” was not the first time the organization lent a helping hand to teens in the area.
“We started a youth workforce development program here at Dress for Success three years ago,” Cox said. “Typically, what that has been is job readiness programming and immersive workforce development skills.”
The comprehensive cause was something that many community members of Northwest Arkansas rallied around. More than 75 businesses contributed to the event by offering dress storage space, transportation, changing rooms, giveaways and more. Volunteers spent weeks collecting, sorting, and organizing dresses, as well as making sure that the event ran smoothly on the big day.
More than 150 teens attended “Gownsational” on Saturday. NWA Singlemoms Sisterhood and Dress for Success were able to provide 120 of them with a gown that made them feel beautiful.
Dress for Success is planning to host another prom event for students of Farmington and Springdale. Organizers anticipate giving away at least 60 more dresses at that event, continuing their mission of ensuring that every teen has a night to remember at prom.