Tribe offers help for students to be prom ready

 

By Nicole Montesano

Smoke Signals staff writer

A rainbow of formal dresses adorns the walls of the small room – different styles, lengths and sizes, just waiting for the youth who will wear them. A rack holds suit jackets and pants, mostly in gray and black, but also two recently-made ribbon shirts that hang nearby as well.

The room in the Tribe’s Behavioral Health Department has been transformed into a prom closet, that Tribal Peer Support Supervisor Sydney Clark said is being created “to ensure that every youth has the opportunity to feel confident and celebrated on their special night.”

“We know that prom attire can be costly, especially for something that may only be worn once,” Clark said. “To help ease that burden, we are gathering gently used dresses, suits, shoes and accessories so our youth can choose what they need at no cost,”

High school students in need of clothing for upcoming proms are welcome to come and “shop” for their perfect outfit, while community members are also asked to check their own closets for no-longer-needed gowns, suits, accessories and shoes to donate.

“Your generosity reflects the values of care, support and community that we hold close and it truly makes a difference for our young people,” Clark said.  

Post Treatment Support Counselor Tannith McNeel said Clark “just had this idea a couple of months ago, so we made up a poster.”

The response has been heartfelt, she said.

“I can’t believe we’ve got as much as we do,” she said. “The whole community came together.”

McNeel noted that one donor had dropped off several items with purchase tags still attached.

“We still need a few more boys’ clothes, and maybe some shoes and accessories,” she said.

Prom season starts in late April in the West Valley and McNeel said the closet “is open to everyone.”

It will also be open for upcoming graduations, as well as homecoming next fall.

McNeel and another staff member sewed two ribbon shirts for the collection and McNeel has also been putting her sewing skills to work mending small tears and removing stains.

“This dress came in and it was slightly damaged, so I just sewed it up,” she said, holding up a long black gown. “So even if it’s slightly damaged, we have people who can repair it.”

Donations are still being accepted and McNeel urges people to call if they need assistance. They may also call to make appointments to come in and pick out an outfit.

To make an appointment to view the clothes or for questions about donations, call 503-879-2026. Donations can be dropped off at the Behavioral Health Department front desk, 9605 Grand Ronde Road. The department is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday.