Project seeks volunteers for prom shop

NEWTON — Project Self-Sufficiency is seeking donations of new and gently-used formal wear, including prom dresses, bridesmaids’ dresses, gowns for mothers-of-the-bride, evening bags, jewelry, wraps and shawls, as well as shoes in good condition for display in the agency’s annual “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop.
Dresses must be dry cleaned and on a hanger. In the shop, which is housed on Project Self-Sufficiency’s Newton campus, gowns and accessories are displayed in a boutique-like setting, and girls are invited to select shoes, wraps and jewelry to complement their dress. Volunteers are needed to assist teen girls with selecting gowns and accessories during the prom shop, which will be set up at select schools during March and at Project Self-Sufficiency during early April.
This year, the Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop will be taken on the road on board PSS Journey, the agency’s mobile services vehicle, prior to setting up its usual location at Project Self-Sufficiency. Pop-up boutiques will be established at several local schools, including Halsted Middle School, Jefferson Township High School, Newton High School, Hopatcong High School, North Warren Regional High School, Vernon Township High School, and Wallkill Valley Regional High School.
“The community has been particularly supportive of the Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop every year, and we are fortunate to have a large collection of beautiful gowns and accessories in our collection,” commented Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “Every young woman deserves the chance to have a beautiful dress for that special, once-in-a-lifetime event. We are excited about hosting pop-up prom shops at the local high schools this year, and we are grateful for the support of their administrators and staff.”
Adult volunteers are needed to assist teen girls as they select gowns from the collection at Project Self-Sufficiency’s “Sister-to-Sister” Prom Shop, as well as at the temporary boutiques established at the local high schools. Volunteers must be over the age of 21; candidates are invited to register online or call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.
Donations will be accepted Monday–Thursday, 9 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Donations will be accepted through mid-April.
Project Self-Sufficiency is located at 127 Mill Street in Newton. For information about the Sister-to-Sister Prom Shop, or to find out more about any of the programs at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.