2025: Empowering the Future through Education, Diversity, and Hope
Dresses and Dreams: the important work of a charity supporting adolescent girls in lower socioeconomic standing.
Location
Hemmingson Ballroom
Start Date
15-4-2025 11:15 AM
End Date
15-4-2025 12:15 AM
Description
“We believe in making dreams real, every day. The Princess Project promotes self-confidence and individual beauty by providing free prom dresses and accessories to high school teens who could not otherwise afford them. Our effort is made possible through invaluable support from volunteers, donors, sponsors and the community.” Poverty may eliminate milestone opportunities (e.g., attending prom) for teens. Missing these kinds of opportunities not only decreases moments of fun but may also be a risk factor for lowered self-esteem and diminished school connection (Twenge & Campbell, 2002; Tess, 2011). Missing milestones disconnects adolescents from the school community and may lead to lowered self-esteem; as they feel they cannot keep up with their peers in a social context. This poster will offer evidence that participation in milestones like prom is important for multiple reasons, will offer an overview of one charity that provides prom dresses to teens living in poverty, and will end with a call for more such support for our teenagers.
Recommended Citation
Polverino, Maireád, "Dresses and Dreams: the important work of a charity supporting adolescent girls in lower socioeconomic standing." (2025). Diversity & Social Justice in Education Conference. 5.
https://repository.gonzaga.edu/dsjconf/2025/general/5
Publication Date
2025
Dresses and Dreams: the important work of a charity supporting adolescent girls in lower socioeconomic standing.
Hemmingson Ballroom
“We believe in making dreams real, every day. The Princess Project promotes self-confidence and individual beauty by providing free prom dresses and accessories to high school teens who could not otherwise afford them. Our effort is made possible through invaluable support from volunteers, donors, sponsors and the community.” Poverty may eliminate milestone opportunities (e.g., attending prom) for teens. Missing these kinds of opportunities not only decreases moments of fun but may also be a risk factor for lowered self-esteem and diminished school connection (Twenge & Campbell, 2002; Tess, 2011). Missing milestones disconnects adolescents from the school community and may lead to lowered self-esteem; as they feel they cannot keep up with their peers in a social context. This poster will offer evidence that participation in milestones like prom is important for multiple reasons, will offer an overview of one charity that provides prom dresses to teens living in poverty, and will end with a call for more such support for our teenagers.
Comments
Poster Session A