VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - After years of helping local foster youth get ready for prom at their office, nonprofit Connect With a Wish had to make a move.
“[We moved] 500 dresses out of our office into a nice big U-Haul," said Joy Rios, Founder of the ten-year-old organization. "It was time. We’ve grown out of our space. We’ve got so many employees. I’ve got so many desks in there.”
So on Sunday, she moved the annual operation to a venue in Virginia Beach called The Villa.
This year, Connect With a Wish — which supports children and young adults in the foster system — had 30 girls signed up for its annual Prom event.
They get to pick out a dress, shoes, and accessories for prom or any other formal evening. Students from beauty school Rudy & Kelly Academy helped complete the look doing hair and makeup.
It doesn't cost the teens and young women anything, but Rios says it makes a world of difference in how they feel about themselves, telling News 3 that many teens in foster care choose to skip their formal dances.
This setting, however, is a chance for young people who have been through a lot in life to build self-esteem and relax.
“It’s always great to have support from people. Even people you don’t know, they know you and they know stuff about you that can help you. They always provide for you. That’s always a great sense of family to have," said Aurora Canterbury, 18, who says she's in her third or fourth year coming to the event.
For others, like 20-year-old Ramyah Parker, it's the first time.
“I really like it. It’s very aesthetic, beautiful. I’m happy to be here, get my hair done, my makeup done. I’m ready for a dress, shoes. I’m ready," she told News 3.
Rios says her dresses are donated from numerous sources. Some were donated after only a couple of wears, she says. Others still have the tags on them and were donated by local stores.
But it's not only girls that this organization is willing to help get ready. Boys too.
“If you’re going to the prom, we’ll take care of you. We’ll rent your tux. Whatever you need," Rios told News 3.
'Whatever you need.' The mission of an organization committed to making sure young people can succeed no matter the circumstances of their upbringing.
