A prom dress is more than just fabric and sequins—it’s a symbol of a special night, a moment to shine, and a memory that lasts a lifetime.
When Nichole Dominguez, a Catholic Charities team member working in the Westside Head Start (WSHS) program, heard that another Catholic Charities program, North Star Youth Partnership, needed prom attire, she rallied friends and family to help.
Inspired to Donate
Nichole immediately reached out to her daughter Eniyah Dominguez, and Eniyah’s college roommate Daisy Smith, plus two coworkers, Cheryl Rinderer and Tracie Monet. In less than 24 hours, this group was able to collect 52 dresses to donate to North Star Youth Partnership’s Priceless Prom event.
Inspired by the cause, Nichole reached out to Cheryl Rinderer, a recruiter at WSHS, who rallied her family to contribute. Cheryl’s daughter and extended family eagerly joined in, reminiscing about their past proms and homecomings as they selected dresses to give away.
“I thought, what a great way to repurpose my own daughter’s dresses,” Cheryl said. “We got the chance to provide so many girls with the opportunity to have their own special moment, just like my daughters did.”
Tracie Monnet, another donor, shared how her daughters enthusiastically participated. “As I suspected, they didn’t hesitate. They immediately went to our closets to retrieve their dresses to donate and, of course, try them on one last time before saying goodbye. They felt so good about donating to such a wonderful event, knowing that so many girls would have the chance to make their own memories in these dresses.”
A Prom Boutique Experience
The timing could not have been better; Eniyah, a freshman softball player for Yavapai Community College, was in Prescott for a game. Nichole loaded up all the dresses in the valley, then made the trip to Prescott to meet up with the girls and donate the dresses.
Diane DeLong, Senior Program Manager at North Star Youth Partnership, was thrilled to receive the donation. The Priceless Prom event ensures that young women who may not have the financial means to purchase a formal gown can still attend their prom with confidence and joy. Some of the dresses will also be added to a graduation dress rack, further expanding the impact of these donations.
Nichole described the setup as “lovely,” noting that it didn’t feel like a secondhand store. “There were young ladies in there looking at dresses,” she said, emphasizing the warmth and dignity of the experience.
For Daisy, the opportunity to donate was deeply fulfilling. “My experience donating the dresses was amazing! It felt so good giving back to my community, knowing that these dresses will put a smile on these girls’ faces. The workers were so friendly and thankful—it was just an awesome experience!”
Eniyah echoed this sentiment: “I am so happy to be able to give other girls the beautiful feeling that I had when I first wore these dresses.”
Priceless Prom Donations
Each March and April, Priceless Prom offers free prom attire to high school students on a first-come, first-served basis. Dresses, purses, shoes, and jewelry are available, as well as tuxedos and suits. Clothing and accessories are new or nearly new and donated by generous individuals in the community to lighten the financial burden of prom and act as a "pay it forward" recycling project.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed, including Cheryl Rinderer and Tracie Monnet, for making this possible. Your kindness and generosity have ensured that dozens of young women will have the chance to feel special, beautiful, and celebrated on their big night. The Priceless Prom event is a true testament to the power of community and giving—turning cherished memories into new beginnings for others.
If you’d like to support the Priceless Prom Project, consider donating dresses, accessories, or funds to keep this incredible initiative thriving. Every dress has a story, and together, we can help create more beautiful memories.
