The women behind You Wear it Well are once again making dreams come true for underprivileged New Westminster grads.
For the last five years, Joanne Lapp, Kathy Wilson, Darcey Sudeyko, Cindy Carlson, Barb Henderson, Lynn Lenaghan and Nancy Bruce have held a day where grads who need it get a pre-loved gown or tux and accessories, along with some pampering, for their big day.
"We are a committee of seven women, many of us got involved after our firstborns graduated," Lapp told the Record. "We realized what an important event this was in their lives and how we had to help make sure any student in our community, who wanted to attend grad in style, would have the opportunity."
Demand for their help continues to grow, "which is good and bad news," Lapp said, adding that "(it's) sad that so many kids need our help, but great that we are going to all of this effort to put it together, so the more the merrier, really."
The grads come from New Westminster Secondary School and Byrne Creek Secondary, a Burnaby school that some New West students attend because of it location on the far west side.
The group helps male and female students get prom ready by holding a day where they can come and try on the wares.
Lapp said they recently heard from two former students who used their services. The young women said the gowns and the overall experience helped make grad extra special.
The women work with school counsellors, who identify students in need and confidentially pass on pertinent information to the team behind You Wear it Well. The students are then sent an invitation to join the boutique day, where they have a personal assistant helping them choose their dress/suit, shoes, jewelery and accessories from the collection of donations. They are then taken to the make-up and hair room where volunteers provide them with a grad look and then it's off with photographers who capture the magic of the day.
This year, the ladies are holding the boutique day in March. The hope is that by holding it earlier it may help motivate students to push through to grad.
All of the goods are donated - donations can be dropped off at Cadeaux Gifts, 467 East Columbia St.; Shelleys Hair Studio, 520 Carnarvan St., VanCity Credit Union, 511 Sixth St.; and Essence Hair Design, 887 Carnarvan St. Any students who want to use the program for Grade 12 grad, can contact their school counsellor.
The program could not succeed without the help of generous donors and volunteers, Lapp said. To make a donation, email [email protected].
