SIMI VALLEY — Over 300 teens and their parents picked out free prom attire at the Prom Closet at the Simi Valley Family YMCA on March 23. Hosted by the Southeast Ventura County YMCA and Soroptimist International of Simi Valley, the Prom Closet was filled with donated gently used and new formal wear for use by high schoolers at their prom.
Families expressed their gratitude for the event. “The cost of prom has become so expensive. One mom said that she could only budget $60 for a prom dress,” says Dani Hutchison, the Southeast Ventura County YMCA chief development officer. “Her daughter selected a brand new $415 designer dress at the Prom Closet that she absolutely loved. Everyone who came found something special.”
All items were donated by community members and retailers and included dresses, suits, slacks, jackets, shoes, ties and purses. Thirty volunteers helped students pick out clothes and accessories.
A second Prom Closet will be held on April 13 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Yarrow Family YMCA (31105 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village).
For more information about how to donate, go to https://www.sevymca.org/events/prom-drive or contact Brie Severino at bserverino@sevymca.org