Orange County Non-Profits Make Prom Dreams a Reality for At-Risk Teens

COSTA MESA, Calif. - March 25, 2013 - PRLog -- Four Orange County-based non-profits teamed up to host the sixth annual ‘Belle of the Ball’ event at Orange Coast College on Saturday, March 23, 2013. Girls Inc. of Orange County, Women Helping Women (WHW)/Men2Work, Orangewood Children’s Foundation and Orange Coast College collaborated to provide a day of empowerment which allowed over 330 at-risk teens and foster youth to receive the necessities in order to attend their prom or another special event in style and gleaming with confidence.

The day started with breakfast and an inspiring kick-off message, followed by pre-prom shopping for their dress and accessories; a workshop on make-up, skin care, and hair styling for their big night, an interactive workshop on media literacy and fostering a positive body image; and a class on personal branding and presenting yourself professionally on social media. The entire day is provided absolutely free of charge to all attending girls with the help of over 300 volunteers from the Orange County community and Orange Coast College, who hosts the event each year.

“It is important to equip our girls with the knowledge and confidence they will need to be successful beyond their prom night,” explained Veronica Escobedo, Director of Program Services at Girls Inc. of Orange County. “Today isn’t just about giving these girls a pretty dress; it’s about showing these girls that regardless of who you are or what you look like, every girl is beautiful.”

Tina Aldatz, founder of Foot Petals and Orange County resident, delivered the opening ceremonies’ keynote address to the 600+ attendees. “Don’t let your circumstances define the way you lead the rest of your life,” said Aldatz. “Today is an opportunity to learn, receive and continue to grow.”

Over the course of eight months, a twenty-five person event committee consisting of representatives from each of the four agencies pooled their resources and secured over $500,000 worth of in-kind and financial sponsorships for the event. Top sponsors included DSW Shoes, Alfred Angelo, Cookie Lee, Hoyu America, Physician’s Formula, UPS, and National Chariy League (Newport-Harbor).  All in all, the teens were provided with a selection of 2,019 dresses, 1,224 pairs of shoes, 283 purses, 1,301 pieces of jewelry and 400 make-up goodie bags. One Belle exclaimed, “I feel like a princess!”

Belle of the Ball was established in 2008 as a day of self-esteem for at-risk girls throughout Orange County. The goal was to allow young girls the opportunity to attend their high school prom despite their financial or social situations. Through the years, the event has served more than 1,100 girls and continues to grow.

About the Agencies

Girls Inc. of Orange County

Girls Inc.® of Orange County positively changes the lives of 4,500 girls, ages 4 1/2 to 18, each year, by providing year-round holistic, compensatory, and intentional programming focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math). Girls Inc. of Orange County has been a respected member of the non-profit community for almost 60 years. The mission of Girls Inc. is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. We put our mission into practice through the Girls Inc. experience that equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and grow into healthy, educated and independent adults. For more information, please visit www.girlsinc-oc.org.

Orangewood Children’s Foundation

Orangewood Children’s Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization founded in 1981. Our mission is to provide life-changing programs and one-on-one support for abused and neglected children and at-risk families to end the cycle of child abuse. Our programs focus on the areas of education, supportive services, life-stage transition and child abuse prevention. Support for our programs is based on our successful outcomes due to our extensive understanding of the needs of our clients and effective partnerships with public and private organizations. In our history we have helped over 74,000 kids find their wings and soar. Beyond our programs, for thousands in our communities Orangewood means “family,” “opportunity” and “hope.” Learn how you can help at www.orangewoodfoundation.org.

Orange Coast College

Orange Coast College, founded in 1947, is one of the nation's top transfer schools.  For combined transfers to the UC/CSU system, OCC ranks #1 in Orange County. With a student population of 25,000, OCC provides exemplary programs leading to Associate in Arts degrees, Associate in Science degrees, and 135 career programs, including one of the nation’s largest and most acclaimed public nautical programs. In addition, the College offers more than 20 men's and women's sports, full student government, and on-campus arts and entertainment.  The college's 164-acre campus is located in the heart of Costa Mesa. For complete details about OCC, visit www.orangecoastcollege.edu.

WHW/Men2Work

WHW is a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to provide comprehensive employment support services to empower disadvantaged men, women and teens to achieve economic self sufficiency through employment success and who has served over 30,000 clients since 1993. WHW’s 20 year Employment Success Program includes resume and interviewing skills, workshops, computer classes, job placement, image consulting, professional clothing appropriate for interviews and transportation services. Supported by over 1000 volunteers and United Way, WHW’s services are always at no charge or obligation to clients and referring non-profit partners. For more information on WHW and its Employment Success Program, go to www.whw.org.