Arts & Culture

Prom – the word can either fill you with joy and excitement or angst and depression.   Years afterwards you can sometimes make fun of yourself and your fashion sense like Ellen DeGeneres. 

But for those who can't afford to buy an outfit this can be a sad and isolating experience.

The Corsage Project helps young women break through the financial barriers by providing new free formal attire and accessories that have been donated by sponsors or the public to enure they have the opportunity to celebrate with their peers.

The Boutique Ball is being held for the third year in the Appel Salon in the Toronto Reference Library on Sunday April 21 where hundreds of students, already identified through confidential referrals, will be outfitted for prom free of charge.  

And, as any well dressed prom going young woman will tell you, prom is not just about the dresses but it's also about the shoes.  And what would shoes and dress be without matching purse and jewellery? All of these are available.

The Corsage Project is a local community based organization run by a committee of volunteers and associated with Children's Aid Foundation.  It helps young women attend their prom with a new dress, accessories and mini makeover – all free of charge.

If you are interested in the sociology of Prom – then you may like some of these books:

And if you're old like me, and can't remember the angst of Prom, then you may want to read some of these prom novels.