THE Northern Marianas Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence is seeking clothing donations for Project PROM, and is also inviting more schools to participate in the program, which provides free prom attire to participants and educates them about sexual assault and harassment.
NMCADSV Sexual Assault Response Team Manager Savannah Delos Santos said the program began in 2012 during Sexual Assault Awareness Month as a way to “engage youth in sexual violence prevention and peer advocacy.”
She said there are two components to Project PROM: a workshop and the Project PROM “store.”
At the workshop, she added, students gain knowledge about sexual assault and sexual harassment, and are offered resources if they or someone they know has experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment.
“We emphasize the importance of speaking up when witnessing something wrong,” Delos Santos said.
She added that two-thirds of teen date rape and sexual assault incidents occur during prom and graduation season.
“We hope that through Project PROM, we can empower the youth to advocate for themselves and for each other,” she said.
After the workshop, participants can “shop” at the no-cost Project PROM “store.”
Students can select from a wide range of gently used formal attire donated by community members. These include dresses, button-ups, dress pants, ties, shoes, heels, jewelry, hair styling tools, etc.
Delos Santos said there is a particular need for male attire.
“Suits, button-ups, dress pants, ties, shoes, and hair products for males are welcome,” Delos Santos said. “Over the past couple of years, we’ve received several donations from partners, community members, and last year, we received a significant donation of prom dresses from Pena House Boutique.”
The clothing donations are intended for high school juniors and seniors.
Students may keep the clothing they select, but NMCADSV will “happily accept donations if the attire is no longer needed.”
Delos Santos said this year, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr. Sr. High School has signed on as a Project PROM participant.
“Members of our team will be flying down to Rota [in May] to conduct the workshop for their high school juniors and seniors. We’ll also bring the prom “shop,’ ” she added.
If other schools are interested in participating, email Info@EndViolenceNMI.org or call (670) 234-3878.
