It's a rite of passages for young women in Florida, one that many have been looking forward to from the time they were little girls-- the magical ritual of getting dressing up for prom night. Sadly, for some teens this simple dream is out of reach. They can't afford the cost of that special dress ... leaving them disappointed and in some cases, even ashamed and embarrassed.
Enter Becca's Closet. Maya Zwang is one of the Chapter Heads for this non-profit organization. "Becca's Closet helps girls gain self confidence. It allows them to be a part of their prom and helps to boost their self-esteem. It is amazing how much a prom dress can mean to a young girl!" marvels Zwang.
Becca's Closet was founded by the family and friends of Becca Kirtman. Kirtman was just a freshman at Nova High School in Davie when she launched a dress drive to providing prom dresses and accessories to high school girls who didn't have the means to buy them them. Her mission was simple: this fun-loving girl felt that "no one should miss a high school event because they couldn't afford to be there."
Just a year later, as a sophomore, Kirtman herself collected and donated over 250 formal dresses, helping hundreds of girls across South Florida look gorgeous in their donated formal gowns at their proms.
Sadly, Kirtman's vibrant life was tragically cut short. This honor student, cheerleader and big-hearted young woman was killed in a car accident when she was just sixteen. But her legacy of giving and helping other young women lives on through "Becca's Closet."
Other young women across the country, like Zwang, head up the local chapters of Becca's Closet, helping others make their prom night fantasy into a reality. "There is constant embarrassment from the girls," explains Zwang. "Most are worried what their friends will think and they don't want to be considered a charity case. Becca's Closet makes the girls feel like they are shopping." Along with providing lovely dresses, Becca's Closet insures confidentiality and privacy for the young women involved.
Zwang has seen the the magic of Becca's Closet firsthand. Sometimes there are hurdles in addition to not being able to afford a prom dress.
"There was a girl by the name of *Ella whose Mom contacted me because her daughter had been undergoing cancer treatment and had lost all of her hair," remembers Zwang. "She wanted her daughter to feel beautiful again. Although I never met Ella, her Mom helped to choose a dress for her and later sent me photos and a letter expressing her thanks. It was the best feeling in the world help someone who really needed a pick me up."
If you are interested in learning more about the Becca's Closet in Florida, or to donate a dress, visit this link.
*Names were changed for privacy
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