Event To Be Held March 9th & 10th At The Los Angeles Convention Center

Los Angeles, CA, February 2013 — Now in its twelfth year, the “Glamour Gowns” annual event provides formal attire to any prom-aged young woman in the Los Angeles foster care system. Glamour Gowns has provided more than 5,000 free dresses to young women who may not have otherwise been able to receive them. The event is produced by the Glamour Gowns Committee in conjunction with CASA of Los Angeles. Partners such as philanthropic organization S.H.A.R.E, INC., women’s shoe manufacturer Chinese Laundry, Masquerade, Studio DNA Salon, Proctor & Gamble, L.A. City Councilmember Jan Perry and others, sponsor the event.

There are more than 27,000 children under the jurisdiction of the dependency court in Los Angeles County and more than 18,000 live in foster care. Financial circumstances often do not allow for “non-essential” yet important items like prom dresses or attire for formal dances. Glamour Gowns seeks to create lasting, positive memories for milestone events in the lives of young ladies who have often endured and overcome difficult circumstances.

“Life in the foster care system is challenging economically as well as socially for these girls,” said Glamour Gowns Chairwoman Sandi Romero-Boada. “We can help them have the Prom experience that every girl wants and deserves – a memory that lasts a lifetime that would have otherwise been denied to them.”

“Throughout my life I have only dreamt of 2 days: my wedding and prom. Now thanks to you one of my dreams are coming completely true!  I cannot explain enough of my happiness and gratitude!  Thank you!” – 2012 Glamour Gowns Participant

More than 400 young ladies will receive dresses this year during the event. Donated dresses are brand new, as are the shoes, accessories and foundation items that each young lady receives. Studio DNA Salons and other volunteer stylists will provide hairstyling and make-up instruction. A team of seamstresses volunteers for the day to help each young lady achieve the proper fit of her dress. A volunteer who serves as a “personal shopper” assists each girl.

For Young Women In Foster Care Wanting To Participate

Glamour Gowns is a private event, only open to high school aged girls in foster care in Los Angeles County. Pre-Registration is required for all foster girls who wish to participate. Participants may register with their name and their CSW’s name by contacting Melvy at 323.782.1925 or emailing glamourgowns@quantumcoaching.com. The deadline for registering is March 4.

This year’s items and services are donated by apparel and beauty industry entities including: Chinese Laundry, Masquerade, Studio DNA Salon, Proctor & Gamble, Neutrogena, DesignerKaren, Jenette Bras, Wella professional products, Kimberly Clark, and others.

Some of the 2013 Glamour Gowns recipients will be available to meet the press prior to the event on March 9th.

The Glamour Gowns Committee:

Sandi Romero-Boada: Chair, Kristen DeLeo: Co-Chair, Karen Braverman-Freeman, Carolyn Dessert-Lauterio, Brenda Galloway, Stacy Horn, Sue Marshall, Tracee Maxwell, Anissa McNeil, Jennifer Parker-Stanton, Michaela Pereira, Joanne Solov, Cortez Wilks, Christine Yick.

For media inquiries, contact Brian McWilliams at Spelling Communications, bmcwilliams@spellcom.com, 310.838.4010.

ABOUT CASA/LA 

Founded in 1978, CASA of Los Angeles is a community-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that trains and supports volunteers from the community to serve as advocates for children in the highly-overburdened foster care system of Los Angeles County. A CASA volunteer is a committed, highly-trained everyday citizen volunteer assigned by a judge to a foster child in Los Angeles County’s Juvenile Dependency Court system who advocates for the best interests of the child. CASA volunteers bring the voice of the community into a child welfare system that is often overly-bureaucratic and legalistic. Studies have shown that children with CASAs receive more assistance and support than children without, are more likely to be adopted, and are less likely to reenter the child welfare system. For more information, please visit the CASA of Los Angeles website: www.casala.org.