A mom's perspective
The impact of The Glass Slipper Project is evident from the smiles on the faces of the student "Cinderellas" as they leave with their new prom dresses, and from the words of the students and their families. Read how The Glass Slipper Project was able to help these mothers and daughters make a memorable event out of what is for many girls an important rites of passage: high school prom.
"I just want to thank you all, my daughter picked a beautiful dress for prom, and I think that is a wonderful thing that you all are doing we will send pictures. God bless you all."
"My daughter is to be one of your Cinderellas on April 1st. We have had a long, hard winter. I was "under employed" for the past six months; was forced from our apartment; my daughter is currently staying with my sister and her family, while I'm staying in a group home for homeless women. My daughter's school [name removed] included the information in the last Senior Newsletter and she asked if she could participate in the event. Needless to say, now that I'm more gainfully employed, the urgent need is for housing and for upcoming college costs and not the prom, though that's how I feel. So, thank you so very, very much for thinking of these young ladies and for making at least one of their dreams (and their Mom's!) come true!"
"I'm writing to say Thank You to Everyone involved in the Glass Slipper Project. My daughter and I were there and were able to find a beautiful dress, shoes and accessories for her prom on May 27, 2005. I think what you do for the girls is wonderful!"
"Thanks for putting a smile on my daughter's face"
This letter comes to you a little late but with well wishes to you and The Glass Slipper Project. I would like to take this time to commend you for the fabulous work that you and your staff have been doing through this project.
At the time of my daughter’s prom, we were going through some financial difficulties and could not afford all of the amenities that it takes to make our daughter’s prom as memorable as possible. Therefore when we heard about “The Glass Slipper Project”, we decided to see what it was all about. We attended one of your locations on the Northwest Side of Chicago on a Saturday morning at 6:00a.m. When we arrived, there was already a line of people going into the school. We parked our car and proceeded into the auditorium where there were well over 400 plus people. Every girl was allowed to bring one person with them for this event. We received ticket number 254; I believe, and took our seats.
Everything was very organized and it did not take very long before our number was called. We were lead down the hall to a table where my daughter’s name & school (Whitney Young) was written down and she was given permission to proceed to another line to await a personal escort. Our escort was very patient and helpful. We were lead from one room to another gathering items that she would need for her prom. My daughter, Ashley, was allowed to try on as many dresses as she wanted to until she found the perfect dress. The “Dress” rooms were organized by sizes, colors and styles. Some of the dresses were new and others were possibly worn once by the donator. I could not believe the condition of the dresses. They were excellent. After finding this gorgeous light blue dress which fitted her perfectly, we proceeded to other rooms to find shoes, a purse, jewelry, pantyhose and makeup.
This was one of the best experiences I have ever been a part of. Everyone treated each other with the utmost respect and courtesy. We would like to volunteer one Saturday this year, if you don’t have enough volunteers to support your project during the prom season. Again, I would like to say thanks & job well done.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Josephine Jenkins, Parent
Ms. Ashley Jenkins, Student
Here's another:
"A postscript ... My daughter and I arrived to find a line of young
ladies and parents, boyfriends, etc, awaiting the opening of the doors.
... [Y]oung ladies, who were complete strangers just moments before, began
to compare notes on styles of dresses they hoped to find and parents gathered
in groups to sing the praises of the Glass Slipper Project and trade budget
saving tips.
Finally, the doors opened and instead of a mad crush, this group remained
in an orderly line ... The volunteer coordinators had a battle plan for
moving the line through and received help from those who had escorted the "Cinderellas" to the "mall." After following the line
into the building, through the lobby, up the elevator, down the yellow brick
road, ... Finally, we arrived!
As we entered the "mall," [a volunteer] introduced each "Cinderella"
to her personal "Fairy Godmother;" ours' was named Cindy, who
then whisked them away to the "main salon" for dress selections.
There the eyes were greeted by racks of dresses according to size. My "Cinderella"
was absolutely floored to find dresses her size, though small in number,
just as beautiful as any of the others in the "salon." We gathered
a number of selections to try on and away we went to the dressing rooms.
Now, you and I remember high school gym locker rooms, where every precaution
was taken so that the minimum amount of skin was shown while changing in
front of the other girls. Well, let me tell you, these young ladies had
no qualms about doing a quick strip to shimmy into the dresses; but they
had all come prepared! Almost all of them had done as my daughter did; worn
tee shirts and shorts, body stockings, etc., under their street clothing!
Nor were these ladies shy about sharing their opinions over each others'
choices of dresses, with the "Cinderellas" teaming up with their
Fairy Godmothers to brow beat escorts into seeing that their choice of dresses
were the best choices (yes, you can take that to mean that I was out-voted).
Once the "perfect creation" was chosen, the ladies went on to
find the accessories: shoes, bags, gloves, jewelry, makeup, hosiery, and
in some cases, home styling hair kits. ... [The jewelry table] was presided
over by the benevolent Ms. Nicky, the mother of our Fairy Godmother, Cindy.
At this table of tables, Ms. Nicky would find the absolutely perfect piece
to accent each Cinderella's dress and hair. She could take the most obscure
piece and turn it into some young ladies treasure with just the right placement.
I tell you, with a team like these two, each young lady will be the most
beautiful she could possibly be for the prom! The experience was capped
with a shopping bag big enough for all of the treasures, which included
coupons for discounted hair salon services and dry cleaning for your perfect
outfit. By the time we left, my daughter and I felt as if we were leaving
an old friend's home, never to return. Warm hugs were shared, with promises
to send pictures (Glass Slipper Project gave us the addressed envelopes!)
and many a misty smile.
Moms stood back and realized their babies had grown up and were just about
ready to partake of one of the most treasured events into adulthood, The
Prom. I, for one, am seeing my last "baby" ready to spread her
wings into young adulthood. Thankfully, I had the blessing of finding an
organization, such as this one, to make this step a beautiful one to remember.
Thanks to all of the volunteers, donors, "Fairy Godmothers" (a.k.a.:
Personal Shopping Assistants) and the army of people who make this dream
a reality for many a young lady. As one of the many Moms who have now some
breathing room financially to complete the dream, I say thank you from the
bottom of my heart."
