Corsage Project
The Corsage Project’s Boutique Ball took place on May 3rd with great success. A record number of 300 girls were assisted by a personal shopper to select a dress of their liking; a dream of many young women.
The
goal of the Boutique Ball is to give high school girls in need an opportunity to celebrate the milestone of her high school prom with
pride and style. Formal gowns, accessories, shoes and make-up
consultations were provided free of charge to Toronto area high school
girls who are unable to purchase their own prom attire.
This
opportunity helps put the girls on equal footing with their peers and
enjoy one of the most memorable of high school experiences.
The volunteers took every opportunity to tell these girls how fantastic and beautiful they looked- something too many of these girls don't hear enough.
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Corsage Project Committee member and co-founder Rhona Sallay with her daughter Joanne Sallay, who is also a dedicated committee member.
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Young women who had started the day off reserved and wary were giggling and beaming by the end of the event, which the Corsage Project committee members count as a great success.
The students who attend the Boutique Ball have been identified through confidential referrals from school guidance counselors, the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto and social workers or have come forward themselves. For many of these girls this is the only way they would be able to attend their prom- and through the Boutique Ball they are able to do so while looking great.
For a lot of the girls in attendance it’s not just the prom and festivities part of graduating that is so momentous- it’s that they have defied the odds and are able to graduate with their peers. Many of the young women have had to struggle with family and personal issues that make attending and doing well in school a real challenge. One young woman was overheard telling her personal shopper that she will be the first person in her family to graduate high school.
Thanks again to all our volunteers who came out for the event and for your donations of dresses, shoes, jewelry and handbags. A lot of high school girls went home happy and excited for one of the biggest moments of their lives so far.
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