The Saint Rose Chronicle

Issue date: 6/28/10 Section: News

Media Credit: Caitlin Farrell Prom dresses on display at Equinox.

Prom is part of the high school experience, but it has become so expensive that only those with money can afford to go. Between the dress, limo, hair, make-up and tickets, the event is out of reach for some juniors and seniors. One local college student who grew up in the Pine Hills and graduated from Albany High School has made it her personal mission to help.

A new organization named "Remember Prom" is dedicated to helping underprivileged youths have the experience of prom. This campaign was put together by Alexandria Myers, a senior at The College of Saint Rose. The effort is only a few months old, but the word has spread quickly.

Remember Prom's goal is to send as many students in the Albany and tri-city area to their proms who might not have had the opportunity before. Donations can be made at the Saint Rose Interfaith Sanctuary and at Some Girls, a boutique on 2nd Street in Troy.

With any donation made to Some Girls contributors receive a 40% discount off of any single item. Remember Prom is taking any items that are possibly used for a prom: dresses, men's slacks, ties and coats, shoes, and accessories.

Myers, a social work major, interned last year at Equinox's youth outreach program, on Central Avenue near Henry Johnson Boulevard in Albany

"We try to create a safe place to take a break," said Patricia Tullgren, director of development and community relations at Equinox, Inc.

Each day about 75 students go to Equinox after school. Their ages range from 13 to 22, and they come and play videos games, make music, do trust and team building exercises and have dinner. For some kids this will be the only real meal they have all day.

While volunteering at the program Myers conducted "life space interviews." She got to know the kids that and helped do trust and challenge activities to help teach the children life skills like to trust and to ask for help.

When cleaning out her closet she found her old prom dresses and immediately called to ask Equinox whether they might know girls who had a need for the dresses. Last year, the staff at Equinox donated $1000 out of pocket to help some of the kids in their program to attend prom. Because Equinox doesn't have the staff to keep up with a clothing drive they asked Myers to run the drive, and they offered to store the donations she receives.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools