Dresses and suits to fit all styles are available at the MyCityCare Cinderella Project and Tux Shop, located near the rear of Victory Lutheran Church.--NEWS PHOTO KENDALL KING
kking@medicinehatnews.com
For many, prom is a once-in-a-lifetime event where soon-to-be high school graduates can let loose and celebrate, but for graduates facing financial hardship, the expense of the evening can add stress and even fear of missing out. A Medicine Hat organization is hoping to alleviate those worries by providing individuals in need with dresses or suits and other prom necessities at no cost.
MyCityCares Medicine Hat, which will be officially opening its new permanent location at Victory Lutheran Church this Saturday, has begun its inaugural Cinderella Project and Tux Shop.
“Our whole thing is (about) being able to help people and not just give them their need, but actually bring that dignity level back to them,” Shyla Maneschyn from MyCityCare told the News. “Cinderella Project (participants) have an appointment private to them, where the store is set up (and) where we can fit them and we can get them excited about a dress … and being able to have that whole shopping experience they would normally have to pay for to get.
“We want to be able to let them choose and not feel like they’re a burden. Constantly, I think, people who are in need feel like they’re a burden and it’s embarrassing (for them). We know hard times hit people and they can feel loved even in those times.”
MyCityCare originated in Lethbridge, but now has chapters in Medicine Hat, Taber, Brooks, Calgary, Okotoks and more, with the Medicine Hat location opening in February of 2021.
“The organization MyCityCares started in Lethbridge first. They have been running for a number of years and have seen such huge success with (the Cinderella Project and Tux Shop),” said Shyla.
All dresses, suits, shoes, bags, ties, pocket squares and other items available at the local MyCityCare location are donated.
There are approximately 150 dresses and 100 suits in stock right now, however the MyCityCare Medicine Hat team is always accepting donations.
“It’s been great,” said Shyla when describing the outpouring of community support. “A lot of people have been like, ‘I just love these shoes so much, I didn’t want to just give them (away), but you’re who we want to give them to’ (or) ‘I’ve had this dress; I want you to have it.'”
She and the MyCityCare Medicine Hat team also thanks the many community partners and volunteers who have offered their services and times.
“It’s not just attire,” Dave Maneschyn with MyCityCare told the News. “It’s photography and makeup and hair. We’ve got local partnerships with professional photographers, hair dressers, makeup artists and aestheticians.”
Dave and Shyla hope the Cinderella Project and Tux Shop can provide graduates in need with a fun prom experience, similar to that of their peers.
“It’s open to anybody but we have initiated contact with counsellors from each of the (city) high schools and Prairie Rose as well,” said Dave.
Individuals can also register online through MyCityCare Medicine Hat’s Facebook page.
