Dresses, formal wear from Brown community members help propel ‘Prom for All’ in Providence

PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] - This spring, dozens of Brown University faculty, staff and students joined the Providence Public School District's "Prom for All" donation drive, contributing dresses, suits, shoes and accessories to support local teens as they prepare for prom season.

Now in its second year, the initiative - led by PPSD's Office of Family and Community Engagement - collects new and gently used formal wear for Providence high schoolers ahead of the district's proms, which run from mid-May through early June.

Jael Lopes, director of strategic community partnerships for the district, said the drive builds on the office's broader mission to connect students and families with resources that support success both inside and outside the classroom.

"Families are facing financial challenges right now," Lopes said. "If this is one way we can support our students - by giving them access to a dress, an accessory or something that helps them feel confident and ready for prom - then that's absolutely something we want to be part of. Every student deserves to feel good about how they show up on such a special night."

What began as a modest effort to help a small group of students at a single school has since grown into a district-wide, community-supported initiative, said Milou Rodrigues, a parent engagement specialist for the district. After one school reached out seeking dresses for students, Rodrigues and her colleagues spread the word through district networks and community partners. The response surpassed expectations: in the program's first year alone, nearly 100 dresses were donated - enough to support students at two schools.

To build on that momentum, the office formalized the effort this year by creating a planning committee and expanding outreach to additional community partners, including Brown. The larger network helped boost donations and awareness. Some Providence businesses including dry cleaners, a limousine company and hair and nail salons, have also offered free or discounted services.

"We're really happy with how people are receiving this initiative," Rodrigues said. "This is all community-driven; we've had so many people step up and say, 'I'll call friends whose kids just graduated,' or 'I'll ask others if they have dresses or suits to donate. We're incredibly grateful for how willing people have been to support our students and show up for them in such a meaningful way."

At Brown, multiple departments and offices coordinated collection efforts across campus, placing donation boxes in buildings throughout campus. Many staff members combed through closets and dusted off garment bags, donating dresses, shoes and accessories.