Chicago Non-Profit Plays Fairy Godmother to High School Girls

Every teenage girl dreams of going to the prom. The Glass Slipper Project, a non-profit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, has been helping make that dream come true for more than a decade now. Established in 1999, The Glass Slipper Project provides new and slightly used prom dresses and accessories for free to juniors and seniors who are unable to purchase their own.

Throughout the year, donors drop off formal dresses, shoes, jewelry, and purses at designated locations, one of which is Zengeler Cleaners. Owner Tom Zengeler decided to participate in the cause after a customer told him about it. Initially, the stores received about 300 dresses, and Zengeler thought the project was only good for a year.

That was 10 years ago.

In 2011, donors delivered over 3,000 dresses to Zengeler Ceaners alone. After cleaning the garments and making some minor repairs, the company then sends them off to The Glass Slipper Project.

Come prom season, The Glass Slipper Project “opens shop” for a few days at a “boutique” where students can “shop” for their dress with the help of a volunteer “personal shopper”. This year, McCorkle School on S. State St. will serve as the boutique location, with classrooms arranged by dress size. The boutique will be open on April 14, 21, and 28.

Any high school junior or senior, whether they live in Chicago or not, can come to the Glass Slipper boutique to pick out their dress. All they have to present is their ID or a letter from their principal or guidance counselor; no proof of financial need is required.

According to The Glass Slipper Project co-founder Dorian Carter, girls arrive as early as 3 am to wait outside to get their number.

She adds, “A lot of these young ladies have never worn a dress. When they try one on, you can see their posture change.”