Each year, high school students across North America look forward to prom — a meaningful milestone that marks the end of high school and a final opportunity to celebrate friendships before life takes them in different directions. Unfortunately, the high cost of formal wear and related expenses can make this experience inaccessible for some students, with dresses, alterations, shoes, accessories, and hair and makeup quickly adding up and placing prom out of reach for many families.
Organizations like The Corsage Project exist to help ensure all students can enjoy an authentic prom experience. Created with a simple mission—to help high school students in financial need attend prom—the organization partners with Children’s Aid of Canada to ensure cost is never a barrier to celebrating this important achievement.
Two members of FirstService Residential’s marketing team, Meaghan Ketcheson and Katie O’Hara, support The Corsage Project through volunteerism and committee leadership. They are currently helping prepare for the organization’s flagship event, The Boutique Ball, taking place May 2.
At The Boutique Ball, students are paired with personal shoppers who help them create their prom look using brand‑new dresses, shoes, and accessories. Each student leaves with two dresses—one for prom and one for graduation—along with additional items to complete the experience.
Katie leads the Volunteer Committee, a critical component of the event’s success. Each year, approximately 130 volunteers help transform a high school cafeteria into a boutique the day before the event, with an additional 350 volunteers supporting the experience on event day. Volunteers serve as personal shoppers, restock merchandise organized by size and color, and help maintain a welcoming, retail‑style environment throughout the day.
Meaghan serves on the Retail Committee, which works with retailers to secure donations of brand‑new merchandise for the shoppers. The committee also sources items for silent auctions and raffles held during the event, helping to further support the organization’s mission.
Meaghan began her involvement with The Corsage Project as a personal shopper, an experience she describes as especially memorable. “I loved helping my girls choose their prom looks. It was amazing to see their excitement as they chose their dresses. Many of the shoppers knew each other, and seeing them support and encourage one another was very special,” she shared.
While the Corsage Project is based in Toronto, similar organizations operate throughout North America.
Some similar organizations include:
- Becca’s Closet – Becca’s Closet – Free Prom Dresses
- Operation Prom National Network – Operation Prom National Network
- The Giving Gown Foundation – The Giving Gown Foundation
- The Prom Closets – The Prom Closets
If you are interested in supporting students in your own communities we encourage you to search for local programs helping make prom accessible to all.
To learn more about the Corsage Project and how to support its mission please visit corsageproject.ca.
