The Minister with a Heart for Prom Dresses

Your social media feeds are most likely filled with photos of teenagers dressed to the nines for their proms, smiling and posing for friends and parents who have either purchased or contributed financially to the stylish wardrobe. For the teenagers whose fashion goals are deferred by hard economic realities, there is help in many cities.

“There are girls who cannot attend their prom or school dance because their parents can’t afford to buy a dress,” said Reverend Tonya Boyce, the founder of Eternal Grace, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of others. “This gives them an opportunity to enjoy what being young is all about and gives them a chance to participate in school activities without burdening their families.”

A mother of two, Boyce started collecting gowns because she remembered how much expense is involved in the prom. That was five years ago, and now the word is out about her annual giveaway.

“I got a call from Fort Lauderdale, asking about the dresses,” she shared. “I told the woman, ‘I’m in Arkansas…not Fort Lauderdale,’ which is where she was calling from. She thought we were in Fort Lauderdale. Maybe she saw it on Facebook because we were bombarding people with social media.”

Two Fashion Fairy Godmothers

While working with a parent who wanted a gown for his daughter, Boyce found out about the effort organized by a college student at the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff. Boyce reached out to Zaynab Mujaib, and they decided to collaborate. When the day arrived, Boyce and Mujaib opened the doors, and despite a thunderstorm, 15 excited teenage girls went home with a gown.

Mujaib said, “Thank you, Jesus, for a successful event….I want to commit to as many good deeds as possible.” Other college students joined Mujaib, inspired by memories of their proms and motivated to donate time, dresses, and accessories.

Boyce said, “We didn’t have old-fashioned dresses…we had modern dresses. The two-piece dresses, halter dresses, ballerina, mermaid dresses, we have all kinds.”

This year Boyce said she’s heard heartbreaking stories about teenagers abandoned by family, hoodwinked by a shady boutique owner, and worried they won’t have anything to wear for their special night. There are 40 gowns still available to be claimed, just waiting for an opportunity to appear in a prom photo.

  For more information, please contact Reverend Tonya Boyce at (870) 872-2057.