If you want to make a huge impact on teenage girls in your area, this is the way to do it. ItÕs called CinderellaÕs Closet, and it is a ministry for girls, by girls.
What we did was have people bring in prom gowns and dresses that they are no longer using, along with shoes, jewelry, unopened make-up, purses, anything that a girl would need for prom.
We then asked social workers, group homes, other pastors, teachers, etc. to refer girls to us who would otherwise not be able to afford a dress and accessories to go to their prom. We opened up shop on two separate Saturdays. Each girl was assigned a Òfairy god-motherÓ when they came in who stayed with them the entire time, carrying their dresses for them, helping them decide which dress to pick, etc. Those who came with the girls were treated to cupcakes (pink, of course) and drinks while they waited. We let the moms or sisters or whoever came with the girl (one per girl usually) come back to the dressing area so they could see them in the dresses they were trying on.
We had Cinderella's Closet in 3 different locations…Immanuel UMC in Lakeside Park, KY (our church), Frankfort, KY, and in Ohio at The Vineyard. Immanuel served 400 girls alone. God is so good.
It's been a great success and we are so happy to have been able to help so many girls. Many of them are from group homes or families that are quite broken. For them to be doted on and showered with love and attention for an entire afternoon is something many of them had never experienced before. Those serving as fairy god-mothers were so touched by the girls they met as well. It was just a wonderful experience.
If you want to access our website dedicated to this ministry, please visite: cinderellasclosetnky.org's web site.
Idea by Susan Eaton
