A Dress for Every Girl: Bringing Beauty and Belonging to Local Teens
The Forgottonia Times™ Report
Photos courtesy of Jennifer Ferguson
Nine years ago, a vision formed for Temple Baptist Church member Lisa Bergevin. After realizing that many high school girls could not attend homecoming or prom because they couldn’t afford a dress, Bergevin set out to change that. What began with six dresses has grown into a ministry with more than 200 gowns available for girls across Illinois.
“A Dress for Every Girl” now runs with the help of dedicated volunteers. Heather and Amelia Fuller, who currently lead the ministry, coordinate shopping days, manage the program’s Facebook page, and ensure dresses, jewelry, and shoes are ready for each event. Heather and Amelia are present at almost every shopping day and other volunteers assist with setup, outreach to area schools, and guiding teens as they search for their perfect dress.
The process is designed to make each girl feel celebrated. Volunteers greet them, help find the right sizes, and encourage them to try on as many dresses as they wish. Accessories are available to complete the look. Jennifer Ferguson, a church member involved with the project, shared that volunteers often remark on how shy the girls are when they arrive, and by the time they leave, are transformed: “When they find that perfect dress, their face lights up and excitement just fills the room.”
Most of the dresses come from community donations, though the ministry has also benefited from contributions by a closing bridal shop, the Farmington Library, and student-led dress drives. Many teens even return their dresses the following year so others can share in the joy.
Beyond meeting a practical need, the ministry aims to provide encouragement and spiritual support. “We wanted to meet this need and look for opportunities to meet spiritual needs in the lives of the teen girls,” Ferguson explained. In some cases, lasting relationships have formed—one young woman even went on to have her wedding at the church and be baptized.
Dates for the shopping days are Tuesdays, Sep. 9th and 23rd from 3:30-6:00pm and Saturdays on Sept. 6th and 20th, and Oct. 4th all from 10:00am-1:00pm. “A Dress for Every Girl” is located at Temple Baptist Church, 10 Van Dyke Drive in Canton. For updates, check out their Facebook page “A Dress for Every Girl.” Every dress, accessory, and pair of shoes is completely free to any high school girl in Illinois, to dress up, feel fancy, and be reminded of their worth.
