With Spring on the horizon and prom season kicking off, a lot of students are already thinking about the big event—a high school tradition that will become part of their lifetime memories.
But here in Northern Westchester, many families find themselves unable to afford this expensive senior-year ritual.
A 2012 national survey by Visa, Inc. reported that in the Northeast, families with teenagers will pay an average of $1,944 on costs related to the formal dance. Parents and teens will dig into their pockets to pay for formal attire, limousine rental, tickets, flowers, pictures, food, accommodations and after parties.
With teens’ Facebook pages abuzz with pictures of the latest and coolest dress, many young people feel left out, knowing that fancy clothing and accessories are out of reach.
At the Community Center of Northern Westchester, we are thinking about those who could use assistance in preparing for this memorable night. We want to help ease the burden of buying that perfect dress or suit to wear by supplying donated and cleaned formalwear to local kids from families of limited means.
We ask that you share the magic of this special time for a local teen by donating your gently used party clothing to the Center. Our prom clothes drive makes it possible for the Center to help young people make their prom dreams a reality.
There’s more. The Elephant’s Trunk, the well-known Mount Kisco boutique for formal attire, will generously offer the Center use of their beautiful shop for a private evening, to display these donated dresses, shoes and accessories just for these local teens seeking the Center’s prom assistance. High school students needing this help are privately invited to come try on dresses of their choice and can leave with an entire prom outfit.
One very important part of our effort: the Center makes every effort to preserve privacy and confidentiality for students seeking the Center’s prom assistance.
Students unable to attend can also come directly to the Center at a later date to choose and try on dresses in full privacy.
We are proud to make this momentous night possible for more local young people and will continue to try and meet the needs of our neighbors in the best possible ways.
Click here to learn more about who we are and what we do at the Community Center of Northern Westchester.
