Community Corner
Hope and Friendship and The Nail Inn unite for Dress Clothing
Hope and Friendship's 14th year of offering Prom Dresses and Dress Clothing was bettered once again by joining efforts with Nail Inn Academy
More than a decade of "Give that Dress Clothing a 2nd Night Out" and this
was by far my favorite and one that kicked my old tired butt.
I find it truly fitting that we happened to hold this on the weekend of
the Oscars. I created this event 14 years ago out of empathy. I learned
as a single mom of a young woman who truly wanted a prom dress that
made her feel red carpet worthy that sometimes we cannot give our
children what they want but we give them what we can. I wish that my
daughter and I could have benefited from an outreach like this one
because every time I see a young woman glowing from the thrill and
excitement of finding her dress I think of my daughter, and now her
daughter.
We put such value on what is on the outside...I truly, deeply wish we
didn't, but we do.
We judge harshly those who do not rise to the expectations of the
many....I truly, deeply wish we didn't, but we do.
We open our arms to those who are beautifully cloaked and we side eye
those who do not play by the rules of fashion, popularity, cultural
acceptance...I truly, deeply wish we didn't, but we do.
From the pain of those struggles I see the purpose for this outreach.
Some have enough to give, you offer the means for us to do the magic.
I watched young women love on young women.
I watched awkward, geeky, uncomfortable young friends walk in and be
enveloped in a club...."Be you because no matter what is on the outside
we love you for what is inside". I met with my team before we opened
the doors and I asked them to make every young person who walked in our
doors to feel beautiful and loved before they walked out, even if they
didn't find a dress or suit.
Michele's students, and our Hope and Friendship vounteers did that and
more.
They raised each young lady up, they put them on a stool and had them
turn around and show everyone how beautiful the cloak was but more
important how beautiful the glow of their spirit was. They celebrated
each "fit" with MIchele running (hobbling) to get pictures.
(Next year we will have a bell!!!)
Even our young men were celebrated with every perfect fit and every new
suit, blazer, shirt. We hooted and hollered and glowed with them as we
bagged their "new" fancy clothes.
So many of you asked me how the event went and I thank you for that
because you gave me a moment to feel that warmth again of the
celebration, the love, and the beauty of loving a complete stranger and
helping them love themselves a little bit more.
I wish this event could make every young person feel more beautiful
inside and out longer than the short time they spent with us.
The only way that will happen is if we take the emphasis off of what is
on the outside and direct it to the beautiful individual that stands
before us, and help them see that beauty even when they feel broken and
unacceptable.
Thank you Michele for walking with me on this path and vesting yourself,
your schools, and your students to make each year better than the
previous.
Thank you to all who found Hope and Friendship Foundation worthy of
these absolutely gorgeous cloaks!! The dresses just left us in awe and
the men's suits were truly treasures that provided a gift that would not
have been afforded.
You lifted young women and men to a level that otherwise would not have
been achievable...you gave them a moment of feeling like a million
dollars and we were the recipients of that as well!!!
I can't wait until next year!
But why wait until next year? Take the opportunity to help a young
person feel beautiful simply by finding something good to say about
them. Our young people are so beaten down in their body image and in
their feeling of self worth. Your kind word, your ability to raise
their eyes up from looking down, and your unconditional love will help
them have that million dollar moment over and over!
I can't wait for next year!
By then Michele and I will have recuperated and forgotten how much a
body can ache :-)
www.hopeandfriendshipfoundation.com
#givethatdressa2ndnightout
#nailinnacademy
#hopeandfriendshipfoundation
#beautifulinsideandout
#lovemyyoungfriends
#celebratethebeautywithin
