Prom Dress Exchange is Back - Low Cost Formal Wear for High Schoolers

The Prom Dress Exchange is back and ready to outfit you for Prom and other formal school functions on March 23!

Prom is a rite of passage for high schoolers, but many simply cannot afford the expensive formal attire required to attend. Thankfully, the annual Prom Dress Exchange, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2024, provides high-school aged youth formal attire for prom or other formal school functions at reduced or no cost.

In 1999, sisters Cheryl Wise and Colleen Little saw a need in their Metro Denver community. They wanted every girl who hoped to attend Prom to have access to a beautiful dress, regardless of their family's income. For twelve years, the two sisters hosted the Prom Dress Exchange, an annual event where Denver area girls could shop for a gently used or new formal dress, at little or no cost to them.

The event grew until Cheryl and Colleen were unable to continue as hosts.

Fortunately, Laura Bauer and Jeannette Lewis had heard about this wonderful program and were eager to take over for the sisters. They were given 1200 dresses and a large notebook full of information. Two weeks later, they held their first event. One year after that, they formed a charitable 501(c)(3), complete with a board of directors made up of committed volunteers. The event continues to grow each year.

Thanks to the numerous volunteers, sponsors and supporters each year, the Prom Dress Exchange touches the lives of more and more young women. Prom can now be an attainable goal for all high schoolers... as it should be.

Check out coverage of a previous Prom Dress Exchange event!
(Please note that they ARE collecting donations this year.)