By Jo Mathis
When Jessica Kaski’s mother joined the ranks of the unemployed in February, Jessica gave up her dreams for one night in May.
“I didn’t plan on going to the prom because my mom lost her job,” said Jessica, 16, a sophomore at Ferndale High School, whose boyfriend is a senior. “I just wasn’t going to go.”
But her mother heard about Hope Closet, an all-volunteer organization that provides a free prom dress to any girl who may not otherwise be able to attend the dance because of financial constraints.
And now Jessica is one of more than 500 girls who will attend their high school proms wearing a gown chosen free of charge. Some gowns are donated brand new by stores; others are once- or rarely-worn.
Jessica Kaski checks out photos of her Hope Closet prom dress.
“It’s a dream come true,” said Jessica, who selected a black designer gown at the Hope Closet boutique.
Hope Closet was founded in 2004 by Whitney Drake of Livonia, who wanted to make sure that any girl who wanted to attend the prom could do so.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to see the girls come in, and be transformed into a princess,” she said. “We want to help as many girls as we can, but there’s always one girl every year who reminds us why we do this.”
Asked who that was this year, Drake choked back tears.
“This young lady had over 200 surgeries and was actually in hospice,” said Drake. “Her parents came in, and we got a very beautiful dress for her. Her mom was concerned, because she wasn’t sure she’d actually be able to go because she’s in hospice. I said, `It’s OK. Take the dress!’ The year before, it was a family of six whose father had to leave Michigan to get a job.”
Hope Closet is staffed and funded solely by volunteers. They donated more than 1,200 hours at the 2010 prom boutique held last week during National Volunteer Week at the Royal Oak First United Methodist Church.
“We couldn’t do this without the outpouring of support from southeast Michigan,” Drake said. “The dresses, all the volunteers. It’s all done through them. We’re a very giving community.”
Dee Grant loved her prom at Southfield High School 24 years ago. So when she heard about Hope Closet, the Plymouth resident knew she wanted to help make sure girls get to go to theirs.
“I think it’s genius,” she said. “You’re only in your prom dress seven or eight hours, and the average price is maybe $150 to $200. I think it’s a wonderful thing for girls who wouldn’t have a chance to wear formal wear.”
Grant was amazed at the choices – there were more than 3,000 dresses. She helped 11 girls over seven hours find The One.
“They’d literally try on close to 20 dresses – at least mine did because I was throwing ‘em at ‘em,” she said. “When they’d open the curtain, and say, ‘Come in,’ that was my highlight. They all found one they loved.”
The girls also got to pick out one accessory – shoes, earrings, necklace, bracelet, wrap or purse.
Grant can’t wait to volunteer again next year, and bring some friends with her.
Young women from nearly every school district in southeastern Michigan have received dresses from Hope Closet in its seven years. Interested girls must have an appointment to attend the boutique, and show a school ID.
Jessica Kaski’s mother, Jenn Bourgeault, couldn’t be happier with their experience at Hope Closet, which she said was lots of fun.
Bourgeault said the prom requires much more than simply buying a new dress.
“It’s the dress, the shoes, the hair, the makeup, the accessories,” she said. “So I swallowed my pride and said, ‘Let’s check out Hope Closet.’ Normally I wouldn’t have done that. I would have taken her dress shopping. But with this economy, and my unemployment, I said, ‘Let’s check it out.’ The experience was amazing. I can’t rave enough about how comfortable I felt, and how fun it was. The majority of the dresses were brand new, with tags.”
Jessica tried on 15 about dresses, getting the other girls’ opinions about each one, before choosing a black chiffon gown that was brand new and donated by a bridal shop.
For Jessica, May 7 this year couldn’t come soon enough. And where will the dress go after the prom?
“I’ll most likely donate it back,” she said.
“She plans on paying it forward,” added her mother.
Hope Closet always needs donations of prom dresses in current styles, and particularly those in plus-sizes.
To make a donation, go to www.facebook.com/HopeCloset.
One Comment
Two thumbs up for all the people in this story who understand how important this tradition is to a young lady. Under the superficial fluff of the dress and shoes is the chance for everyone to show thier love by fussing over a child who is becoming a woman.