Prom night is supposed to be one of those memories you carry with you long after high school ends. But for some students, the cost of a dress, shoes and accessories can turn excitement into stress.
Reston Community Center’s Diva Central Dress Drive and Shopping Event has been helping students and families alleviate prom-related financial pressure for 24 years with donated clothing and items that make the night special.
On a recent episode of the County Conversation podcast, LaTanja Snelling, equity partnerships director at Reston Community Center, shared how this popular annual event makes a difference in the lives of young people across the region.
How It Works
Throughout February, community members donate formal dresses, shoes, handbags, jewelry and other accessories at Reston Community Center. In March, middle and high school students aged 12-18 come to the center's Lake Anne facility to shop for free. Each student may take home up to two dresses, a pair of shoes and one of each accessory type.
“The Diva Central Dress Drive is a donation drive, and we have people from the community come out and donate dresses, handbags, shoes, accessories, anything that students would need that would go towards their formal events such as prom or their eighth-grade dances,” Snelling said. “We tend to get a lot of great pieces, things with tags still on them. It looks like they haven’t been worn."
This year, the center tried something new by sending its RCC on Wheels van into the community to collect donations, and the response was strong.
More Than Just Shopping
What sets Diva Central apart from other clothing giveaways is the experience. The event features entertainment, craft activities and an interactive photo booth. In past years, a fashion illustrator sketched students in their chosen dresses.
One of the fitness studios at the Lake Anne location will be converted into a dressing room this year so students can try on outfits before making their final picks, just like they would in a store.
“Students like to come in and shop as a group of friends,” Snelling said. “It’s not just coming in and grabbing your dress and leaving; it’s an experience. And a lot of people like to come in and just hang out during that time with their friends.”
Open to All Students in the Region
The doors are open to all students; they don't have to attend schools in the Reston area or even Fairfax County. The event draws young people from across Northern Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. No identification is needed.
“We don’t ask. We do get a lot of people that come from Maryland or Washington, D.C.,” Snelling said. “If people have a need and they’re able to get a dress, then we’re always welcoming to them to come out and get that experience.”
Building Confidence, One Dress at a Time
For event organizers and volunteers, the drive is about more than clothing. It’s about helping young people feel good about themselves during a time when appearances can feel like everything.
“The purpose was to give the students the confidence to be able to go to prom and not have that stigmatism with the financial strengths or just giving them the ability to be able to have something that will make them feel good,” Snelling said.
The community has taken notice. Last year, Snelling arrived to find a line of 50 people waiting before the doors opened.
How You Can Get Involved
This year’s Diva Central shopping event takes place on Saturday, March 14, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Reston Community Center's Lake Anne facility. If you missed the donation window this year, hold on to your gently used dresses and accessories and bring them to either RCC location next February.
Volunteer are welcome, but slots for this year's event are already filled.
For more information about the Diva Central Dress Drive and Shopping event, or other programs and activities available at the Reston Community Center, visit restoncommunitycenter.com.
The County Conversation Podcast
The “County Conversation” is a podcast featuring employees and subject matter experts from the Fairfax County Government discussing programs, services and items of interest to residents of Fairfax County. Listen to past episodes of “County Conversation.” Listen to other Fairfax County podcasts or additional audio content at Fairfax County Government Radio.
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