Students approaching their cherished graduation with a dream of being dressed picture perfect but facing financial challenges are being offered a chance to have their special shining moment through the first-ever Gowns for Grads Gala.
The event is being held at the Fine Arts and Multi-media Centre in Olds on Friday, Feb. 26, from 7 to 9 p.m., followed on Feb. 27 with a “try-on and alteration day” at the same venue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For the past seven years, Karen Grudeski, a rural resident who lives “dead centre” between Olds, Didsbury and Sundre, had committed herself to a low-key version of the ‘Gowns for Grads' project, an initiative to help those less fortunate in Chinook's Edge school communities have affordable graduation formal wear. This included young men having the necessary support to rent their tuxedos and parents having access to formal wear.
But now, Grudeski, who started her project out of her basement, is taking the project to the next level.
“It has been kind of low key and word of mouth sort of thing,” said Grudeski, a former family wellness worker who now gives special presentations in the schools on relationships and sexuality.
She said in previous graduation years she would start to get calls for assistance in February but activity started early this school year with five requests last November.
“I know with the downturn (in economy) there is a greater need out there so I thought about how to make this work for both the people trying to sell their dresses and young people who are trying to look at purchasing,” said Grudeski, adding it's also an opportunity for many people's special dresses to be re-loved by people who wouldn't otherwise have the chance to even think about such a purchase, by those who consider the environment when they make purchases and by people who find it more interesting to shop second-hand.
“I think a lot of families are saying $1,000 is a lot of money. Yes, we are excited to have you graduate but it is not something we can pull off,” she said.
“This (gala) is trying to meet a need, help kids have a wonderful day, a very memorable day, and at the same time it is not going to break the bank to make that happen.”
Grudeski said she wants to create a “festive atmosphere” at the gala where the community can join in and help the young have that special graduation day.
“We want to decrease the stigma that goes with it where students from families who simply can't afford to purchase formal wear often miss out on the entire grad season – which is a thought I could barely stand,” she said, noting financially challenged students and families will now have the opportunity to buy beautiful formal attire at a fraction of the original cost. “It is for the girls who truly need the dresses and who are saying they don't mind wearing something if it is going to help them save a few bucks.
“What we will do if the girls can't afford the dress at all is that sometimes I talk to the families and tell them we have a bit of a budget that we can kind of supplement and purchase that dress for them,” she added.
She said new graduates will be able to purchase a dress at a quarter to a third of the price of what it would cost if it were bought brand new, which can be anywhere from $200 to well over $1,000, not including alterations.
The event on Feb. 26 will begin with a fashion show. There will also be handcrafted jewelry from around the world available to trade or purchase at reasonable rates, with profits supporting the project. Grudeski hopes the event will draw a seamstress to help with minor adjustments, and a hair stylist who can suggest just the right style.
Meanwhile, invitations to the gala are being circulated through high schools in Chinook's Edge, and grads who have these invites initialled by the school will receive their gown or tux rental free of charge.
Donations are welcome during the two-day event, and the general public is invited to attend. Anyone wanting to donate formal wear, jewelry or other accessories in advance is encouraged to email [email protected] or call 403-335-4568. They can also contact the family school wellness worker at their local Chinook's Edge school.
Karen Grudeski
"We want to decrease the stigma that goes with it where students from families who simply can't afford to purchase formal wear often miss out on the entire grad season – which is a thought I could barely stand."
