Gowns for Grads Winnipeg: Outfitting girls in need

WINNIPEG — Grad season is wrapped up for most high school students this year.

And for many of them, the day was made that much more memorable thanks to a volunteer organization that outfits girls that don’t have the means to outfit themselves.

‘Gowns for Grads’ began in 2011 with 30 schools participating, now they’ve have over 60 using their services – and not just in Winnipeg.

For the girls that come by the store, it’s really a one stop shop for graduation.

“The girls can leave here with a dress, a wrap, an evening bag, shoes, some jewelry,” said Brooke Bouchard, Chair of the organizing committee.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "The girls can leave here with a dress, a wrap, an evening bag, shoes, some jewelry," said Brooke Bouchard, Chair of the organizing committee.

“We have make up samples for them and one of the local beauty schools gives them a gift certificate to get their hair done and their nails done.”

All the gowns are donated, and everything is free for the those in need of a dress.

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Student Caylin Knott used Gowns for Grads this year.

“I heard about it through student services and a few of the students a couple of years ago who had already graduated.” Knott said. “I just remember being told, there’s a bunch of dresses, and you can go pick out a dress and get it for free.”

If not for ‘Gowns for Grads’, her evening might have turned out differently.

“These programs are so important because it makes them feel just as special and important as the other kids that can afford to go out and get a dress.” said Dana Binder, Off-Campus teacher Gordon Bell High School.

Binder hasn’t forgotten about the guys either.

She recently started up ‘Suit Up Winnipeg’. It’s still in it’s early stages but close to 100 graduates took advantage of it this year.

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“We don’t currently have a permanent location so it’ll be a pop up shop next year,” Binder saod. “But they come to get a suit, tie, shirt, shoes, socks whatever they need for their graduation.”

Both ‘Gowns For Grads’ and ‘Suit Up Winnipeg’ continue to take donations all year long.

If you have any items to donate for the guys you can email: suitupwinnipeg@gmail.com.

Any Winnipeg Perths locations accept donations for ‘Gowns for Grads’ and you can contact them via email: gownsforgrads@gmail.com.

You can also follow them on Facebook Gowns for Grads Winnipeg and Twitter @Gowns4GradsWpg.