The Minto Youth Action Council (MYAC) is taking the stress out of formal wear shopping for area youth, with a Prom and Grad Swap Pop Up Shoppe.
The event, to be held March 24 from 9am to 1pm, will provide an opportunity to trade in old formal wear for something new to wear to this spring’s formal events.
Over the last several weeks, adult allies and youth members of MYAC have been collecting formal dresses, suits, shoes and accessories from the community.
Donations have been pouring in, allowing MYAC to offer a wide selection to anyone who attends the event.
“The prom swap event is a great way to have fun and find the dress perfect for you, while keeping travel time and cost to a minimum,” says youth action council member Samantha Willson.
The event is designed to addresses some of the biggest challenges for rural youth looking to find the perfect dress for the upcoming prom and grad season, by offering a low-cost way to access formal wear without needing to travel outside of their community.
The program offers up the chance for the community to empty out its closets and recycle the types of clothing that typically cost a lot but see little use. But it’s also meant to be a fun experience for all youth involved.
“Our goal is always to create new opportunities that youth in the area wouldn’t otherwise have,” says MYAC adult ally Megan Raftis. “But we usually find that what’s most missing is fun things to do in the community. So our projects try to address that.”
So MYAC will be transforming the youth space at LaunchIt Minto into a pop up boutique for the day, complete with volunteer seamstresses on site for minor alterations. Teens are encouraged to bring their own items of formal wear or accessories to swap on the day of, but donations from the community will continue to be accepted.
For more information about the event contact Taylor Kuenen at youth@town.minto.on.ca.
