CFSA Plays Dress Up

Prom sucks! It's one of the most high pressured times of the year. But what if you're a foster-care kid? What if you live in a group home? Finding the right dress and tuxedo is just that much more difficult.

Last week, Child and Family Services stepped in with its annual Prom Project, a clothing drive to get their kids some slick duds for the big night. The drive concluded last Friday.

Beatrice Williar, program manager in the office of volunteer services, says the drive was an overwhelming success. Only a few shoulder-padded dresses were donated. So kids can rest easy at knowing they will not have to look like Joan Collins this year. She reports that her office received hundreds of dresses including more than a few designer gowns. But the big trend in donations skewed toward old bridesmaid dresses. Yikes!

Donations also included gloves, necklaces, shoes, and stockings.

On April 25, teens will be putting on a fashion show using the donated stuff. The show takes place at the Westin Grand, 2350 M Street N.W, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Paul Wharton, a stylist who appears on MTV's “MADE” and VH-1's “The Agency," will be on hand according to the press release. Admission is free.

The event will be followed on April 26 with CFSA opening up its boutique (really just a converted conference room). On that day, teens will get to comb through the racks and pick out their formal wear.

“We transform our conference room," Williar says. "We get racks and we sort the dresses and we lay out all the shoes, we size everything, we put out all the accessories....It’s so much fun. The kids are excited. We pamper them. We do makeovers. We do their hair. We have a raffle for free tuxedos and limo rides."