Media Advisory/Photo Opportunity: The Corsage Project Celebrates Achievement and Inspires Confidence - One Dress at a Time
Celebrating youth and embracing individuality, the Corsage Project – in partnership with the Children's Aid Foundation – will host the annual Boutique Ball featuring hundreds of brand new dresses and accessories
TORONTO, April 20, 2017 /CNW/ - On Sunday, April 23, The Corsage Project will host its annual Boutique Ball for hundreds of young women graduating from high schools across the city. Committed to lifting the financial burden of prom, the Boutique Ball is free of charge and available through confidential referrals. Celebrating its 17th year, The Corsage Project continues to provide graduating students with head-to-toe prom attire, giving young women the opportunity to celebrate this significant milestone with pride and style.
With an average cost of more than $800, the high price of prom prevents many graduating students from attending the important celebration. In addition to juggling classes, homework, extracurricular activities and part-time jobs, many young people simply cannot afford the added stress of financing their prom.
"At Corsage Project we are bound by a common purpose – to be a bright spot in the lives of some very remarkable teenagers who, in the face of tremendous adversity, have accomplished an important achievement – graduating from high school," says Sarah Tuite, Corsage Project Co-Chair.
"We believe that prom is a rite of passage that all high-school graduates should celebrate. If we can alleviate the financial burden for students and their families, the focus can return to celebrating achievements and inspiring confidence in these young women," says Joanne Sallay, Corsage Project Co-Chair.
At the Boutique Ball, participants are escorted by their very own volunteer personal shopper through racks of dresses, hundreds of shoes and tables upon tables of sparkling jewellery— all courtesy of a range of corporate sponsors. It's an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance, bringing together women of all ages.
Go to Prom, Give a Prom
This year the Corsage Project is encouraging graduating students across Toronto and individuals of all ages to make a financial donation to help those less fortunate attend their prom. Launching their first-ever Kickstarter campaign, the Corsage Project hopes to help even more deserving young people celebrate their high school prom with confidence. Interested individuals can learn more and donate at the Corsage Project.
Who:
- Select Corsage Project participants who have agreed to share their story with media
- Valerie McMurtry, President & CEO, Children's Aid Foundation
- Corsage Project spokespeople, volunteers, including personal shoppers and seamstresses
Where:
- Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge Street
- Bram & Bluma Appel Salon (second floor)
When:
- Sunday, April 23
- 9:30 a.m.
What:
- A team of more than 600 volunteers create a shopping bazaar with hundreds of new dresses, shoes, purses, pashminas and jewellery for over 250 young women from local high schools.
- Formal attire and accessories that have been donated by retailers and the local fashion community
- Interviews with select Corsage Girls
- Interviews with Corsage Project spokespeople and volunteers
- Interviews with Children's Aid Foundation spokespeople
- Note: To respect the privacy of many of our participants, please photograph, film and interview only those girls who have agreed to speak with the media. Volunteers will be on hand to ensure these young women are easily identifiable and available for interviews.
About the Corsage Project
Working in partnership with the Children's Aid Foundation, the Corsage Project is a non-profit program in Toronto dedicated to giving the authentic prom experience to young women who would not otherwise have the opportunity to celebrate with their peers due to the high cost of formal wear. Our scholarship program through the Children's Aid Foundation also helps local high school graduates achieve their post-secondary goals. www.corsageproject.ca
SOURCE Children's Aid Foundation
Beth Hampson, [email protected], 647-539-2116; Stella Karami, [email protected], 647-884-9651
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