For many teen girls, experiences like homecoming and prom are key parts of their high school experience, complete with the excitement of finding the perfect dress. But for those in foster care or those facing financial or family instability, these events can often bring other emotions: disappointment, embarrassment, and sadness.
It was in this space three teenagers saw an opportunity to bring joy, equity, and dignity to their community.
Teens Taking Charge
One day, teenager Cate Burchett looked at her closet and saw that she had a bunch of formal dresses she would likely never use again, and then an idea came to her. She realized other girls who were not as fortunate would appreciate the dresses way more, so she began pursuing options to donate formal dresses to teen girls in need. Cate partnered with friends, Ava LaBarbera and Isabella Rauscher, and together the three teenage girls started the nonprofit Dress It Up.
Dress It Up collects donations of gently used clothes with the goal of providing formal dress, and other clothes, to teenagers experiencing barriers that could prevent them from participating in homecoming or prom. This student-led sustainability project partners with schools and nonprofits to facilitate their mission. Dress It Up partners with One More Child through Loft 181, our boutique for at-risk teen girls in Lutz, Florida. They have donated many dresses to Loft 181 in the past, but a few weeks ago, they came to us with a unique offer.
A “Chance” Meeting
During a visit to New Jersey, Cate and her mom, Carrie, struck up a random conversation with someone while they were shopping. It turns out this woman Cate and Carrie ran into was Diana Meyer, the current United States of America’s Mrs.
Cate and Carrie shared with Diana that they were from Tampa, and Diana asked if they knew a nonprofit that could accept donations of formal dresses, as she would be traveling there in a few weeks and wanted to donate some of her pageant dresses to a local organization.
This was a moment only God could have orchestrated.
Cate and Carrie shared about Dress It Up and Loft 181, immediately calling the boutique to see if we could take the donation—to which we responded with a resounding, “Yes!” But the United States of America’s Mrs. didn’t want to just drop off the dresses; she wanted to visit the Loft, offering her services as a stylist to create a memorable experience for some teen girls in need.
Our team at Loft 181 got to work to identify teens in foster care we could invite to this unique experience. We connected with a partner organization, Hope Children’s Homes, and identified five girls we could bless with this experience.
Dress It Up
When the day finally came, these five foster teens walked into Loft 181 to see Diana, the reigning United States of America’s Mrs., welcoming them in her elegant dress, sash, and sparkling crown. Their eyes lit up with joy and wonder—but seeing Diana in her exquisite dress was only the beginning, because soon they would be the ones walking around looking like princesses.
The girls looked through rack after rack of beautiful dresses (65 donated dresses in total) before choosing some to try on with Diana’s expert guidance. They came out of the dressing rooms, twirling and strutting across the boutique, as though it were a celebrity fashion show. They each took home at least one dress, along with the treasured memories of the day. Best of all, they felt like stars.
Through the generosity of United States of America’s Mrs. Diana Meyer, the passion and ingenuity of the three teens who started Dress It Up, and the dedication and hospitality of Loft 181, five teen girls in foster care were gifted an unforgettable experience that empowered them with joy, strength, and dignity.
Clothed with Strength and Dignity
“She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.”
Proverbs 31: 25
We seek to meet the tangible needs of every girl who walks through the doors of Loft 181, instilling worth and belonging through a meaningful shopping experience. But the clothing is only one part that accomplishes this goal.
At Loft 181, we share the good news of the Gospel, desiring for every girl to know she is loved and has intrinsic worth. The clothes we provide are an outward representation of this truth.
We are so grateful to United States of America’s Mrs. Diana Meyer and Cate, Ava, and Isabella from Dress It Up for partnering with us to uplift and empower teens girls in need.