The Prom Project Seeks Donations Prom Attire Program empowers students through participation and positive self-image

Prom is a highlight of high school, but the cost associated with this special occasion can make it out of reach for some students. The Prom Project gives teenage girls and boys the opportunity to enjoy a full prom experience. Sponsored by the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation, the Prom Project provides dresses, suits, shoes, and accessories at no cost to young Southeast Los Angeles women and men so that they can attend important high school events like prom and graduation, and be fully involved in their educational milestones. The Project also offers professional suits and business attire appropriate for job interviews. Providing students with the opportunity to participate in events that build social skills and connections enables them to gain confidence, self-worth, and a sense of self-determination in their future.

The Prom Project distribution takes place on Saturday, March 14 at St. Francis Medical Center (SFMC). The hospital auditorium will be transformed into a Prom Boutique filled with contemporary, age-appropriate evening and business wear. Since its inception in 2012, the Prom Project has provided more than a thousand teens with prom, graduation, and interview attire. This year the Foundation expects approximately 150-200 students to participate. Each student receives an individualized appointment, giving him or her the time needed to make dress, suit, and shoe selections and to work with a mentor.

Community Call for Donations
All of the dresses, suits, shoes, accessories, and cosmetics are donated by hospital employees, physicians, local businesses, community organizations, and friends and supporters of the St. Francis Medical Center Foundation. The Foundation is currently accepting donations of the following items:
• Prom and formal dresses in all sizes with a special need for larger sizes (medium through 3XL)
• Cocktail dresses in all sizes
• Evening/formal shoes for girls/women in all sizes
• Jewelry and handbags appropriate for prom/formal occasions
• Suits, tuxedos, dress pants and dress shirts in all sizes with a special need for smaller sizes (boys/men sizes small and medium)
• Evening/formal shoes for youth/men in all sizes

Requirements
The Foundation kindly asks that all items be new or gently used in excellent, dry-cleaned condition. The Project cannot accept items that are damaged or stained. The program budget is very small; therefore, the Project cannot dry-clean any items. In addition, the Project can only accept current styles dating back five years or less.

Help spread the word!
Please tell colleagues, friends, and family to let go of those dresses, shoes and accessories hanging in their closets. In-kind donations are tax-deductible and will be treasured by a student for years to come.

Drop-off Location and Deadline
Donation deadline is Friday, March 6th. Donations are accepted in the Foundation office Monday through Friday – 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Please contact Grace Mendez to schedule a donation drop-off at (310) 900-7331 or gracemendez@dochs.org.

The Foundation is extremely grateful to its donors, volunteers and friends for their support which allows the Prom Project to provide this special service to the community’s youth.

ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER FOUNDATION
The St. Francis Medical Center Foundation was founded in 1983 as a nonprofit corporation to meet the philanthropic needs of St. Francis Medical Center, a member hospital of the Daughters of Charity Health System. The purpose of the Foundation is to encourage, receive, administer and disperse donated funds. The charitable donations and bequests help to underwrite the cost for new equipment, the modernization and expansion of St. Francis’ facilities, and high quality health care services and community outreach programs.

ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER
St. Francis Medical Center (SFMC) is the only comprehensive, non-profit health care institution serving Southeast Los Angeles. A member of the Daughters of Charity Health System, SFMC is dedicated to serving those who are sick and living in poverty, and to providing essential health care services for the 700,000 adults and 300,000 children who count on SFMC for high quality and compassionate medical care. SFMC is recognized for its full range of diagnostic and treatment services in specialties including Cardiovascular, Surgical, Maternal-Child Health, and Trauma, in addition to its established network of community clinics, its essential role in LA County’s Public/Private Health Care Safety Net, and its many vital outreach programs. SFMC is an Approved Primary Stroke Center and STEMI Receiving Center for Los Angeles County.
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