As prom season approaches, teenagers across the country anticipate the chance to step into their dream dresses and live out their childhood fantasies of being a princess for a night. The search for the perfect prom dress is a quest filled with excitement and anticipation. However, not all families can afford to pay hundreds of dollars for an outfit that is often only worn several times, but one non-profit in North Carolina is trying to change that.
The I am Worth it foundation gives girls across the Triangle an opportunity to find their dream dress without spending a penny. The foundation organizes an annual “Say yes to the prom dress” event in Raleigh, featuring hundreds of dresses in various styles, from poofy to slim fit, bedazzled to simple, strapless or one shoulder, catering to everyone’s preferences.
The annual event was hosted on March 2 at Tarboro Community Center and partnered with SaveAdolescent Girls Everywhere (SAGE) and Raleigh Parks and Recreation. I am Worth it prioritizes low-income households to fulfill the need for prom dresses without the worry of cost, further assisting women who have suffered abusive experiences by removing financial obstacles. Jennifer Payne, the 38-year-old founder and director of the I am Worth it Foundation, started the mission to provide for young women and girls so they don’t have to give up their future successes because of insufficient funds.
Aliyah Walker, a volunteer and scholarship recipient of the I am Worth it foundation’s program explained how events like these are important for connecting teen girls to resources.
“It provides not only relief but help[s] aid students who might be struggling in any aspect. If I had not heard about the Say Yes to the Prom Dress Event last year, I would have never heard about their scholarship and probably would not have had the finances to attend college. These events are important because they open so many doors for girls who were like me and needed help and wanted to feel seen and heard,” she said.
The foundation welcomes donations year-round for events such as “Build-A-Backpack”, which provides families in need with not only backpacks but a set of school supplies as well, donations through their Amazon storefront, and direct donations on their website. The I am Worth it Foundation also has a scholarship program to inspire and support young women who have experienced financial barriers or other challenges to continue their post-secondary education.
Walker’s involvement with the organization led her to volunteer at the Say Yes to the Prom Dress event on Saturday.
These events are important because they open so many doors for girls who were like me and needed help and wanted to feel seen and heard.
— Aliyah Walker, Meredith College Freshman
“I wanted to help an organization that helped me. Back in June, I applied for and received the I am Worth it Foundation Scholarship that they have and ever since then, I have stayed in contact and built great relationships with the members of the organization. I wanted to attend the event last year but due to personal reasons, I was unable to go, so this year I made it my goal to be a part of the event in some way. The I am Worth it Foundation has helped me tremendously and is one of the reasons I was able to attend college, and I wanted to come out and help other girls just as the organization helped me, even if it means simply helping them find a prom dress,” she said.
By bringing countless families together in nearby communities, the foundation emphasizes that the event is not just about prom dresses, but more about coming together as a community to promote confidence and self-worth on one of the most important nights. The “beacon of hope” symbolizes that financial limitations should not impede an individual’s ability to shine on a big night.
Walker shared her favorite moments from the event, where she served as a personal shopper for girls seeking prom dresses. “My favorite memory from the event would have to be getting to know the girls and the families that I was with. It was so much fun helping the girls find something that made them feel beautiful and the reactions from themselves and their families once they tried on the dress were priceless and will stick near to my heart,” she said.
The reactions from [girls] and their families once they tried on the dress were priceless and will stick near to my heart.
— Aliyah Walker, Meredith College Freshman
Walker stressed the impact that I am Worth it had on her academic and personal life – and that the benefits of the organization’s programs extend beyond prom dresses.
“I hope any rising juniors or seniors will come out next year to the event, but I also hope that people reading know how much deeper this event means than just providing prom dresses! The I am Worth it Organization has done so many amazing things and I hope anyone reading will feel inspired to get involved in some way or will know that they are not alone in any challenges they’re facing,” she said.
