By Lara Fominoff @LaraFominoff on Twitter

WATCH: “Cinderella Project” helps teens in financial hardship with prom expenses

Apr 23, 2018 | 12:24 PM

LETHBRIDGE – Beautiful sparking lights and a dramatic entranceway complete with feathers, faux garden vines and wispy curtains make those going to find their dream prom dress or suit feel like they’re in an exclusive haute-couture pop-up shop.

That’s exactly what Victory Church MyCity Care Director Jennifer Tribble and her staff want teens to feel when they arrive for their appointments.

For the third year, the church is hosting its “Cinderella Project” event at the Old Firehall No.1, for teens/families who are going through financial hardship and can’t afford to get either a prom dress, tuxedo or suit.

“We have all of the dresses (and tuxes) donated and they can come in and shop. They have the place to themselves…so they’re not going to run into people. We really protect their confidentiality and their dignity as best we can.”

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Each appointment takes between 1.5 to two hours, and there are hundreds of dresses and tuxes to choose from, donated by community members and businesses. Some are new, some slightly used. Everything that has been used has been carefully dry-cleaned.

“We have 400 dresses donated, we have 300 different suits and pieces donated for the guys… shoes, accessories. We’ve have had lots of businesses donate everything from head pieces to – we had a shoe company donate two dozen brand new pairs of shoes. It’s been really awesome. The generosity by the community is awesome.”

So far this year, they’ve had 24 students take part. Most of them have been recommended by school counsellors, social workers and other community agencies.

There is no cost associated with the project, but there is a registration process.

Tribble says it’s an incredibly rewarding experience.

“When those girls come out of the dressing room and they’re glowing because they’ve found the dress that they absolutely love, it’s hard to replace that. It’s a privilege.”

Tribble explains that when she was growing up in B.C. there was a similar project going on that inspired her to do something similar here.

Once a dress or a tux is selected, if alterations need to be done, that’s taken care of. They’ll also book makeup, hair, and photography sessions free of charge as well.

“We want them to feel like a million bucks when they go to their grad.”

For more information on the project or to set up an appointment, call

403-320-1565 or go to http://myvictory.ca/my-city-care/ and fill out a registration form.