Local groups take financial worries out of prom season

Hidden behind the glitz and glam of dresses, suits, pictures, flowers and all things that makes prom night magical is the realization of how quickly the expenses can add up.

For the students and families worried about the cost as prom season approaches, there are groups in the area that can help lighten the burden.

Started in 2003, Project Prom has called many areas in Allegheny County home. The program, created by the county’s Department of Human Services, has recently relocated to a larger space at 10700 Frankstown Road in Penn Hills.

After about eight months of work, the new space features two rooms of more than 3,000 dresses in different styles, 11 fitting rooms, three reveal areas, two jewelry counters and one large shoe room. The space will also be decorated with positive affirmation decals.

“We want the kids to come in and feel brave, confident and beautiful,” said Shelli Luchs, senior manager of events and donations for the Allegheny County Department of Human Services.

Luchs said JCPenney at Ross Park Mall donated three large show fixtures.

Selections of donated items range from new to gently used.

When entering the store, students are greeted, then matched with a personal shopper to help them look through the choices.

Once they have a few selections, they will be escorted to the changing rooms and can stand on platforms in front of mirrors to view the items they selected. After shoppers have picked a gown or outfit, they will be able to select a pair of matching shoes and a piece of jewelry or a hairpiece.

“We always want the kids who come to see us to have the same experience their peers were having in actual dress shops,” Luchs said. “We never want them to feel ‘less than.’

“It’s always been a dream to make this kind of space and to see it come to fruition. I’m so excited to welcome our students to the project prom shop.”

To be part of Project Prom, high school students must live in Allegheny County and qualify for a free or reduced school lunch.

A student also is eligible if a household member is on active military duty or a veteran.

Luchs said Project Prom not only helps with wardrobes, but also with confidence and lightening the emotional toll that can accompany prom season.

Project Prom welcomes students of any gender identity. It offers pants, shirts, pantsuits, tuxedo pieces and jumpsuits for students who might not feel comfortable in a dress.

“It’s a really inclusive and welcoming environment,” Luchs said.

There is a selection of plus-size gowns available. The program does not offer full tuxedos.

“We always say we have a limited selection (of non-dress apparel) because we unfortunately don’t have them all in every size just yet,” Luchs said. “That’s our next goal.”

Clothing giveaways will take place 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 29 and April 5 and 3 to 7 p.m March 31 and April 3.

Burrell’s in-school option

Some local schools have answered the call for a less expensive prom experience.

Burrell High School librarian Megan Aranyos began the Bucco Boutique, a clothing closet in the library, in 2018. The closet features casual clothing, hygiene products and shoes. She said there are students in the closet every day, and about 30 to 40 pieces of clothing are taken from the closet each month.

After a few years, the closet began to amass a lot of formal dresses, and Aranyos wasn’t sure what to do with them.

“I kind of kept them separate from the rest of the clothing and built them up,” she said.

Last year, Andi Householder, now a Burrell graduate, suggested they host a prom giveaway event for students.

Aranyos said about 15 students showed up to the main event and about 10 met with her privately to try on dresses.

Aranyos said she plans to host a second giveaway event after school on March 25 until 4 p.m. The school’s prom is scheduled for May 3.

“This is only our second year for it, so it’s not really a tradition yet,” Aranyos said.

The selection of clothing ranges from new to gently used. She said the closet has received donations from local dress shops, teachers with graduated daughters and a lot of donations of recent graduates.

Aside from dresses, the boutique offers suits, tuxes, ties and shoes.

“I love that it’s mostly the grads donating so they’re still kind of connected to the school,” Aranyos said.

The closet accepts casual clothing and prom clothing all year-round. She said the closet has a limited number of dress shirts and suit options. Sweatpants and hoodies are always needed, Aranyos said.

She said the Bucco Boutique has helped students feel comfortable coming to teachers when they need help.

“I’m glad they reach out to our teachers here,” Aranyos said. “They’re very comfortable asking for help and they know we want what’s best for them and we’re here for them.”

Norwin’s Blessings Boutique

Norwin Christian Church parishioner Heather Brown simply wanted mothers and daughters to have a great day together, so she and Kristie Deemer shared the idea to create the Blessings Boutique in 2020.

“We wanted to provide girls and their moms the opportunity to spend the day together with no stress, no stress financially, so that’s kind of where we got started,” Brown said.

Multiple times each year, the women and other volunteers transform the North Huntingdon church into a boutique featuring rows of donated dresses, selections of high heels, jewelry and makeup for the Dressed in Joy events.

The events offer girls in the region the opportunity to shop for prom for free.

Brown said anyone and everyone is welcome at the event.

“We just want to show teens and their families that they’re loved, that God loves them and we want to share that love with them through this ministry,” Brown said.

Much like Project Prom, the girls shopping at the event are greeted and partnered with a personal shopper who helps them find a dress. After a dress is selected, girls can choose matching shoes and jewelry.

Brow said her favorite part of the event is seeing the girls interact with each other by complimenting each other or helping one another find the right dress.

“It’s so amazing to see,” Brown said.

The boutique hosted its biggest event of the year on the weekend of Feb. 21, Brown said. People can still schedule private appointments with the boutique and will have a mini Dressed in Joy event Thursday, Friday and Saturday, March 13, 14 and 15.

“If somebody private messages us via Facebook or Instagram, we try our best to get an appointment scheduled for them even if it’s outside of the appointment times we have prescheduled,” Brown said.

There are more than 1,000 prom and homecoming dresses available for shopping, she said. The boutique also hosts an annual homecoming giveaway.

The boutique accepts donations year-round from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the church.

For more information about events, appointments and donations, visit the Blessings Boutique Facebook page.