A magical event will be taking over the Four Points Sheraton ballroom for part of the week, as the London Cinderella Project matches young women with dresses for graduation celebrations later this year.
Tuesday and Wednesday are the project’s fitting days, which means more than 100 girls who otherwise couldn’t afford glamming up for Grade 8 graduation or prom will browse through an assortment of donated dresses and accessories.
Seamstresses on site will measure, trim, and sew dresses to the right fit, while a makeup artist will be giving out advice and free makeup.
“We see the biggest smiles, we’ve seen tears before,” said one of the project’s organizers, Rose Duffin.
“The girls get dressed up, and look at themselves, and think it’s the most wonderful thing. It’s gratifying for them, and it’s very gratifying for us to see that too.”
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The project began in 2005, when co-founders Pam Armstrong-Brown and Jeannine Curts decided to help families overcome the financial pressure associated with the milestone event.
Organizers say there are 107 girls registered for the project this year, and another 60 “Cinder-fellas” are being fitted for tuxedos with help from Moores Clothing.
The Cinderella Project serves more than 200 elementary and secondary schools across the London area.
Young people have to be referred to the program by a teacher or a social worker, and its services are 100 per cent free and volunteer-driven.
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