For many high school seniors, prom is a rite of passage into adulthood, but the costs associated with the special spring night can be staggering, especially when it comes to the dress and its accessories. Prices for this year’s collection range from a Mermaid Beaded Applique Lace Back Gown for $369 at Dillard’s to a Jovani at Whatchamacallit for $1,460. In recent years, churches and nonprofits have stepped up to help make prom a little more affordable. On Thursdays from 5-7 p.m., girls can shop at the Prom Dreams Boutique, a ministry at University Christian Church, for their prom ensembles. Dresses, shoes, jewelry and handbags are available to shoppers free of charge. As the Chair of Prom Dreams, Kalen Ruiz said the boutique is “just like shopping at a regular store.” Just as the ministry intended, the boutique’s wide array of options closely mimics the set-up of many major retail stores, complete with clothing racks, dressing rooms and garment bags.
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Some shoppers even prefer the close-knit environment of the boutique over traditional formal dress stores. “It is less intimidating than going to a department store,” said Cynthia English, a mother who found the ministry through a flyer from her teen’s school. “Everybody here is so welcoming.” Gowns are carefully organized by size on shiny silver garment racks, making it easy for young shoppers to find the perfect fit. From slinky sequins to sophisticated taffeta, dresses reflect many current fashion styles and color trends. For shoppers and volunteers, the most magical experience at the boutique is the moment when the girls strike a pose in front of the mirror wearing the gowns. 
