The Corsage Project: Making an Impact One Dress at a Time

Senior Prom – a traditional rite of passage for many high school students! The dress – the shoes – the sparkling accessories – the fun of going shopping for all the bits and pieces to make the dream complete! Friends going to Prom together before graduation and separating on their own life paths. Unfortunately, not all young women can attend their prom – not because they don’t want to, but because of financial restraints. How would you feel if you were in her place?

This year marks the 10^th Anniversary of BeadFX working with the Corsage Project to help these young women realize the dream of going to Senior Prom. Created in 2000, The Corsage Project is a community-based program of the Children's Aid Foundation organized by a committee of volunteers from the Toronto area. The Corsage Project helps economically disadvantaged high school students attend their prom by providing free formal-wear. Each year, they assist approximately 250 young
women who are graduating from Toronto high schools at their Boutique Ball – an incredible event that brings together women of all ages to share in the excitement of the day and celebrate the achievements of our participants.

On this special day, event space is transformed into a giant shopping bazaar, featuring hundreds of dresses, organized by size and colour, and tables showcasing shoes, purses, jewellery and accessories.

Corsage Girls shop the various wares with their personal shopper until they complete their look and are then treated to a mini-makeover and goodie bags filled with gifts from our sponsors.

You can help!

Do you have a piece of jewellery that can revived and upcycled? Pull it out and give it new life! If you need ideas, bring it in to one of our Open Beading Nights or Afternoon Bead Teas that will be dedicated to creating jewellery for the Corsage Project. In addition to the staff who will be on hand, other participants will be happy to give ideas. The more sparkle – the better!

The following open sessions at BeadFX will be dedicated to creating jewellery for the Corsage Project:

Open Beading Night
Wednesday, March 25; 6:00 – 8:00pm
Wednesday, April 1; 6:00 – 8:00pm
Wednesday, April 15: 6:00 – 8:00pm

Afternoon Bead Teas
Thursday, March 26; 1:00 – 3:00pm
Thursday, April 2; 1:00 – 3:00pm
Thursday, April 9; 1:00 – 3:00pm
Thursday, April 16; 1:00 – 3:00pm

Everyone is welcome to come out to any of these sessions and help! We recommend that you call ahead to let us know you are coming.

Please drop off your completed donations by 8pm on Thursday, April 16. All jewellery will be picked-up by a Corsage Project volunteer on Friday, April 17.

The Corsage Project also provide scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged youth to get post-secondary education. If you would like to become directly involved with the Corsage Project or would like more information, you can go to their website at www.corsageproject.ca.