Diocese of Newark’s clothing ministry distributes over 1,000 prom dresses to families in NJ, other NY region

The Diocese of Newark’s clothing ministry distributes over 1,000 prom dresses to families in NJ and other NY regions. (Photo by Hannah Morgan from Unsplash)

On Saturday, March 11, a congregation in the Diocese of Newark significantly impacted the lives of hundreds of adolescents through its expanding clothing ministry, Grace's Closet.

The congregation reportedly gave away more than one thousand free prom dresses to families in its local community in northern New Jersey as well as in the neighboring region of New York.

Free Prom Dresses

According to the Episcopal News Service, it is the second year that Grace's Closet has been hosted at Grace Episcopal Church in Rutherford, a community of approximately 20,000 people located just north of Newark and somewhat west of Manhattan.

As mentioned, Grace Episcopal Church welcomed approximately 500 people attending the prom and their families. They provided refreshments in the basement parish hall while they waited their turn.

The people were invited upstairs to a church gymnasium, where a rack of dresses had been displayed, along with temporary changing rooms where the dresses could be tried.

Each guest was reportedly allowed to take one dress, a pair of shoes, a piece of jewelry, a bag, and a wrap home.

The items were provided by members of the local community, as were the tuxedos and suits that were also available.

Moreover, after donating approximately one hundred prom gowns the previous year, the organizers started preparing and advertising this year's clothes drive early. They were pleasantly surprised by the unexpected level of success it achieved.

Susan Muller, the primary coordinator, stated that the event "was great." She was completely unaware of the total number of guests. They were still receiving donations even as the event was happening.

Muller and her small team of core volunteers only had a little under two months to prepare and execute the inaugural event.

They successfully collected several hundred garments; moreover, many of the dresses needed to be claimed and held in the attic of a rectory. At the same time, the team deliberated over how to broaden the ministry's scope in 2023.

Grace's Closet

Grace's Closet assists kids in developing a healthy sense of self-esteem and achieving success in and outside the classroom by supplying them, at no cost, with essential resources such as food, clothing, academic supplies, and personal care goods.

They aim to make a small but significant difference in the world.

Moreover, the ministry also offers a comfortable room reminiscent of a shop. It is stocked with attractive items designed for students in Pre-K through 12th.

To reduce the social stigma associated with seeking assistance, Grace's Closet is accessible to all students. In addition, they have products for personal hygiene and school supplies.

Grace's Closet is open to students for shopping, and they are free to take any clothes that fit them. There is reportedly no cost for anything.

Furthermore, they work hard to provide young people with the tools they need to develop into independent and contributing members of the communities in which they live.

The ministry is already having a good effect on Oconee County. They aim to continue expanding their reach throughout the county with the community's assistance.