FREE PROM DRESS GIVEAWAY FOR SOUTH SUBURBAN TEENS

A Prom Dress Giveaway for high school seniors will be held on March 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the WaddieAnn Venue, 4304 W. Lincoln Hwy., in Matteson.
A Prom Dress Giveaway for high school seniors will be held on March 24th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the WaddieAnn Venue, 4304 W. Lincoln Hwy., in Matteson.

Free Prom Dress Giveaway For South Suburban Teens

BY KATHERINE NEWMAN

Attending prom in high school is oftentimes referred to as a right of passage for

teenagers, but for many struggling families, prom season can come with a great deal of financial stress.

As a way to relieve some of that pressure on low-income families, Chéz Délali Salon and Day Spa will be hosting their 6th Annual Prom Dress Giveaway for high school seniors on March 24th from 10am to 2 p.m. at the WaddieAnn Venue, 4304 W. Lincoln Hwy., in Matteson.

“The parents and young girls are very thankful and appreciative of our Prom Dress Giveaway because so many of them would like to attend these activities but just the thought of putting that extra cost on their families that are already struggling makes them not want to go even though they really would like to,” said Adodo Robinson, owner of Chéz Délali Salon and Day Spa.

The Prom Dress Giveaway is open to high school seniors and the only requirement to receive a free dress is for the students to show their current high school identification on the day of the event.

All of the dresses are donated and along with receiving a free dress the young women are able to pick out shoes, handbags, and jewelry to complete their outfit.

In addition to providing free prom dresses and accessories, the Salon has partnered with the current Miss Illinois Teen USA titleholder, A’Maiya Allen, who has been helping to promote the event and will share her story with the young girls that attend the giveaway.

Allen has lead initiatives such as Jeans for Teens to collect jeans for homeless teens, hosted a Saturday Night Sleep Out to bring awareness to teen homelessness, and launched High Heels High Hopes to promote confidence and self-love for young girls through education, elegance, and service.

“I want the young teens that come to not only find a dress but be able to meet A’Maiya and talk to her and see what it is that she has done and still continues to do,” said Robinson.

Robinson believes that having A’Maiya at the event to talk with the teenagers will help them to build their own self-esteem and show them that their lives and ideas do matter and that they too can set goals that go beyond their community.

The young girls who attend the Prom Dress Giveaway often share with Robinson their appreciation for being able to receive a free dress and the joy that it brings them.

“It warms my heart and makes me understand that what I’m doing effects and touches them in a positive way,” said Robinson. “It’s a great feeling to be able to be part of that and to see the camaraderie between these girls that come from different communities and become friends or just open up and help each other without judgment. I love that.”

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