A mother and three teenage girls walk into Cinderella’s Closet. Glittering beautiful gowns of all colors hang in rows along one wall, while jeweled shoes and purses line the other. Surrounded by what looks like expensive gowns and accessories, the mother nervously pulls a volunteer aside.
“Is it true? Is it really true that my girls can borrow the dresses on scholarship? Because I can’t afford the rental fee,” the mother asks.
“Yes,” the volunteer replies.
Tears begin to well in her eyes as she hugs the volunteer.
Yes is the answer that everyone receives when they come to Cinderella’s Closet and cannot afford to rent a gown for prom. Cinderella’s Closet is a non-profit service organization that promotes self worth in females by lending dresses and everything a girl or woman needs to go to any dance or special event.
Often times, Cinderella’s Closet is the last hope for some girls and without receiving scholarship dresses they would not be able to go their high school prom. You may be wondering what the importance of a prom is to a girl. To Renata Hansen, founder and president of Cinderella’s Closet, it means building up a young girl’s self esteem by making her feel beautiful.
In today’s society, young women are bombarded with images of anorexic models and constantly attacked with ads telling them how to lose weight or wear more makeup.
“My goal is to give women self esteem so that they can see themselves differently. I try to be as positive as I can and give the message that you are beautiful,” Hansen said.
Girls that receive scholarship dresses do have to write why they want to go to the dance and what it means to them. One girl wrote, “My parents both lost their jobs, my brother is living somewhere else and I am a fifth wheel. Thank you for helping me feel beautiful.”
Helping Cinderella’s Closet fundraise is YEF, an organization that supports youth in their pursuit of excellence. YEF’s mission is closely aligned with Cinderella’s Closet mission of helping youth which is why Hansen joined YEF.
“I just saw it as a win-win and I especially liked that they are helping youth. I also see it as a variety of ways to raise money. Felt like a no-brainer yah know?” Hansen said.
If you would like to support Cinderella’s Closet you can volunteer, donate dresses, go online to http://ccn.yefsite.com/, and go to The Masquerade Ball at The Landmark in Tacoma May 14th, 20100. You can get 10% off a tux at Top Hats in Tacoma for the event and your ticket includes dinner, an auction, live music, dancing, wine, and dessert.
What message are you sending to your daughter?
