By Linda Tribbett | Director
As construction nears completion on the donated space, our wonderful seamstresses and mentors are busy conducting workshops in the upstairs conference room every Wednesday and plan to add Thursday workshops next week.
In order to multiple your giving, two local businesses donated ten brand new, custom-made sewing desks, two layout tables,eight new Pfaff sewing machines and two new Jacome sergers! Our sincere thanks goes to these generous partners that want at-risk teens to be encouraged and prosper.
Adorned In Grace and gifted volunteers hosted their annual Dress for FREEdom on Saturday, March 8, 2014 in Portland, Oregon. Giggling and tears abound as girls embrace their beauty while learning to value the unique person they were created to be.
For every 10 underage girls trapped in the world of sex-trafficking, 8-9 have been in the foster care system. The Dress for FREEdom events are an opportunity to reach out to girls ages 12-18 who are currently living in foster care, shelters, or working with a DHS caseworker.
During the event, 84 girls enjoyed a catered buffet, received a professional makeover and hair styling, picked out a semiformal dress to take home and even have custom, on-site alterations as needed. They had fun with nail art, made their own jewelry and as a special memento of their celebration, each girl received a gift bag and her own professional photo package. All at no cost to them.
Each girl was invited to “adopt-a-dress”, choosing a gorgeous wedding or formal gown from another era that they will learn to re-design or repurpose through the Adorned in Grace Design Studio workshops. The Adopt-a-Dress kickoff is scheduled for May 22nd at the Compassion Connect Design Studio.
Centennial Park Alternative High School asked our team to bring the Dress for FREEdom to their school on May 8th. Twenty-five girls chose their own, free prom or banquet dress from dozens that were transported to their location, along with a gift bag. They enjoyed cookies and brownies while hearing how they can become advocates on behalf of their friends, sisters and classmates, rather than victims of sex trafficking.
In the midst of these blessings, the ripple effects of the Adorned in Grace ministries have led us to expand our partnerships around the world. Two new Bridal and Formalwear Shops are opening in Tuscon, Arizona and Melbourne, Australia for the purpose of raising awareness and funds for the prevention of sex trafficking and support for its victims.
Groups in both Seattle, Washington and Queen Creek, Arizona have asked us to help them unite to bring the Dress for FREEdom event to their communities as early as September 2014. It is a privilege to work with other cities as they also reach out to this vulnerable population.
Thank you once again for partnering with Adorned in Grace Design Studio and the Dress for FREEdom. It is an honor to serve with you.
Sincerely,
Linda and the Team
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By Linda Tribbett | Project Director
By Linda Tribbett | Director, Adorned in Grace Design Studio
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