ANDREA WALTERS | staff writer
On Saturday, March 7, Sister’s Closet held their second annual event in LAPC from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Seven members collected prom dresses from their hometown communities, the APU community and other sources to provide local high school girls with prom dresses that they otherwise could not afford.
At no expense, high school students will be able to shine on the dance floor in dresses that were probably worn only once.
Those who collected the dresses brought them to the LAPC room and organized the dresses on racks by size. The dresses were placed on one side of the room and on the other side were a few dressing rooms for trying on multiple dresses until the perfect dress was found.
Also in the room were seamstresses who were volunteer members from Soruptomist International of the Americas, an organization that seeks to benefit the lives of women and girls. If the girls found a dress they liked that did not fit, the volunteers were able to give free alterations.
“Seamstresses were super helpful today,” junior social work major Sarah Wilson said. “I think they altered probably twenty or more
dresses that needed alterations.”
Sister’s Closet was started last year by alumna Stephanie Orona. She started this program as her micro-project that is required for the social work major. The first year only ten students received dresses but were able to choose from a large selection.
This year, Sister’s Closet expanded to seven members who worked together to provide 50 girls with dresses.
“Overall, we are happy and surprised by the turnout,” junior social work major Ashley Milburn said. “To see all the girls so happy and to be here to help them pick out their dresses, shoes and accessories has been really great.” Sister’s Closet was a product of the
“change” project, a requirement for a social work course. Formally referred to as “Social work practice with communities and organizations,” students in the class are encouraged to work with organizations in the community.
One team is currently working to receive donations of toiletries to give to the homeless in Skid Row.
“The community all really likes the toiletries [idea] but we felt something more passionate about a project with a fashion show,” junior social work major Katie Kozlarek said. Their teacher provided them with information about Sister’s Closet and they decided to
take it on as their own.
“They really leaned into not only getting the assignment done but also creating an impactful project,” Co-chair of the Department of
Social Work Mary Rawlings said. The members plan to hold the event once a year because the process can take some time.
“It was a huge hit and all the girls who were able to have these dresses were so grateful,” Kozlarek said. “The girls were able to try
on so many dresses because there were so many good options. They are grateful to the [people] who donated and blessed these high school
girls.”
Sister’s Closet has gotten a lot of attention on campus and the members are hoping it will become a familiar event. The organization is also becoming popular outside APU as those who receive the dresses spread the word.
Since the event is over, students who would like to donate should hold off on donating dresses now and save them until next year.
