Project Prom 2012
Since 2003, Project Prom has given eligible high school students the opportunity to choose free formal attire from a selection of thousands of donated items. The gowns and other accessories are received through the generosity of retail establishments and the general public. New in 2012, Project Prom for Gentlemen combines an etiquette-refresher dinner with tuxedo rentals for young men who are attending their prom.
How to receive formal attire or a free tuxedo rental
Sponsors
How to donate to Project Prom
Project Prom volunteer opportunities
About Project Prom
Project Prom on Facebook
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Dates of Project Prom Gown Give-away:
Tuesday, March 6 through Friday, March 9 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 10 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
.gif "PDF Icon") Project Prom Flyer
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Dates of Project Prom for Gentlemen Etiquette Dinners:
Thursdays, April 5, 12, 19 and 26, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Project Prom For Gentlemen Flyer
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How to receive formal attire or a free tuxedo-rental gift certificate
Young women: The Project Prom Gown Give-away is held for five days at the Project Prom Shop at Century III Mall (Get Directions). Eligible students* are assisted by a personal shopper to select their favorite gown on a first-come-first-served basis.
Young men: The Project Prom for Gentlemen Etiquette Dinners are conducted in April at the Human Service Building (Get Directions). Eligible students* have a chance to brush up on their etiquette skills while enjoying a catered meal and are eligible to receive an on-site tuxedo fitting and a voucher for a free tuxedo rental. Pre-registration is required. Young men should contact their caseworker at DHS or at a DHS-contracted provider agency to register.
* View eligibility guidelines
For more information please contact the Event and Donations Team at 412-350-3428 or EventandDonationsTeam@AlleghenyCounty.us.
Project Prom / Project Prom for Gentlemen Sponsors
Tuxedo Junction | One Enchanted Evening | Men’s Warehouse | The Winner
How to support Project Prom
How to donate formal attire during Prom season
In person
We accept new and gently used formal attire, as listed below, year round. Formal gowns, tuxedos, shoes and accessories can be dropped off at the following locations through March 5 for this year's prom season.
- Human Services Building
One Smithfield Street, (in the first floor lobby)
Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (Get Directions)
Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Picture People
Ross Park Mall, 412-364-6759 (Get Directions)
The Mall at Robinson, 412-747-7730 (Get Directions)
South Hills Village Mall, 412-835-2699 (Get Directions)
- Donors to Project Prom/Project Prom for Gentlemen will receive a coupon for a $25 portrait during the spring season.
- Project Prom Shop (From Feb. 28 to March 5 ONLY)
Century III Mall, First Floor (Get Directions)
Weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
- South Hills Interfaith Ministries (SHIM)
5301 Park Avenue
Bethel Park, PA 15102 (Get Directions)
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
412-854-9120
Interactive Map with all the Project Prom drop-off locations
By mail
We accept packages containing new and gently used formal attire, as listed below, year round, when mailed to:
Event and Donations Team/OCR
One Smithfield Street, First Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Welcomed items
Please note: Only items below will be accepted. We will be happy to refer you to other worthy charitable organizations that will accept other items.
For young women *
- formal gowns
- formal jewelry
- formal purses
- formal shoes
- new hosiery
- wraps
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For young men *
- tuxedos
- bow ties
- cummerbunds
- formal shoes
- pocket squares
- cuff links
- new dress socks
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Gift certificates
- salons (hair, make-up, mani/pedi, etc.)
- tuxedo rentals
- flower shops
- limousine service
- retail stores (shoes, jewelry, accessories)
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* Cleaned, undamaged and currently styled
Cash donations
We welcome monetary donations year round to help purchase tuxedo rentals and dresses in hard-to-find sizes. Checks can be written to the "DHS Donations Fund" memo: Project Prom.
Event and Donations Team/OCR
One Smithfield Street, First Floor
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Project Prom Volunteer Opportunities
Young women from all over Allegheny County will be arriving at the Project Prom Shop in Century III Mall from March 6 through March 10 to select their favorite prom attire and accessories. We need your help to set up the shop and work the formal wear giveaway.
Set up the Shop
Help us transform our new Project Prom space into a unique, attractive environment to make this experience memorable for the young people we serve. We will be hanging wall decorations, sorting donations, and moving racks and apparel.
Tuesday, February 28 through Friday, March 2 (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Monday, March 5 (9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
Work the Giveaway
Help young adults select the perfect gown with all the accessories for a picture-perfect prom! Volunteers are welcomed to participate in this transforming activity at the Project Prom Shop in Century III Mall
Tuesday, March 6 through Friday, March 9 (3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.)
Saturday, March 10 (9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) Volunteer needs met! Thank you!!
For more information please contact the Event and Donations Team at 412-350-3428 or EventandDonationsTeam@AlleghenyCounty.us.
About Project Prom
The DHS Office of Community Relations started Project Prom in 2003, recognizing that the prom is an expensive evening and that many young men and women might be denied the experience as a result. In Project Prom’s first year, more than 650 dresses and numerous shoes and other accessories were collected and offered free of charge to high school students served by DHS. Thanks to the project, 45 students received dresses and attended their prom in style. Originally housed at the Parental Stress Center in East Liberty, the Project Prom Shop has relocated twice, first to the Lower Lobby of the Human Services Building at One Smithfield Street in Pittsburgh, and in 2006, to the upper level of Century III Mall in West Mifflin.
The location is equipped with dressing rooms and staffed with personal shoppers for several days in early spring. When the gown giveaway is completed, formalwear is made available for public sale to raise funds to purchase tuxedo rental gift certificates and gowns in much-needed sizes. The success of Project Prom rests on the generosity of donors, both individuals and retail stores, who contribute clean, currently styled and undamaged formalwear and gift certificates for young women and men.
Pictures of 2011 DHS Prom dresses
Media Recognition