Our 17th Annual Boutique Day was a huge success! As one student put it:
I want to start by thanking all of you at the Cinderella Project for such an incredible experience. I had the pleasure of seeing other youth from my community there and as the day progressed I saw how appreciative each of us was. Many of us come from dysfunctional, lonely homes, but this? This was a rare day dedicated to only us. On behalf of all the youth who’s hearts you helped, thank you. We hold on to this kindness…… by the people who donated their time, their skills, and all the resources it took to pull it all together. By the thoughtfulness in the food that was given to us to take home and simple things that we never priorities like personal hygiene, and self-care. Truly, Thank you.
It was indeed such a beautiful day, and we couldn’t have done it without our hundreds of amazing volunteers.
It was absolutely amazing to have the opportunity and honour to be a volunteer for this heartwarming and life-altering event. I know for me that I gained way more than I could possibly have given to the three Cinderella’s that I had the opportunity to meet and spend time with. I saw firsthand the phenomenal change in the hour and a half that I spent with each of my special young men. Each of my young men were clearly somewhat shy and reserved when we first met – I think they were as scared as I was. To see their faces light up as they tried on their new suits, picked shoes, ties and accessories, and each of my young men elected to have their haircut and styled. The memories that have been created for me is something I will cherish until next year. The importance of this event was written on each of my Cinderella’s Faces, their smiles and the confidence was clear as they eagerly posed for the cameras was stunning and absolutely clear and I would stress measurable.
I have never seen such a change in confidence and self-esteem in such a short time. Thank-you very much for allowing me to be a part of such a heart-warming and important event – I learned a lot and I will not forget, and perhaps more importantly I will share the special stories and memories of this day with family and friends.
The Cinderella Project changes lives. I hope that I will be invited to participate next year.
A counsellor who referred students to The Cinderella Project speaks to the truly lasting power that a day filled with mentorship, support and joy can have on a student’s future:
My students were extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the boutique day and are so appreciative of the support. They have a tough time articulating their gratitude, but please rest assured they are more than thankful for the kind support everyone was able to offer them. We have seen a change in both of them at school…they now have a sense of excitement about their upcoming graduations rather than the stress of feeling like they wouldn’t get to have a similar experience to their peers. This excitement has even transferred into a renewed determination to succeed in their studies as they approach the end of grade 12, rather than becoming disengaged and wanting to give up.
Thank you to all of our donors and sponsors. You’ve truly made a difference in the lives of hundreds of graduating students. Our photographer, Dale Ziegler, captured some of the magic from Boutique Day for you to see:
