Page 49 - APRIL 2019 FOP MAGAZINE

ecod isric Officers cear heir closets to prep teens for prom
■ BY ERIKA WURST
This spring, officers are clearing out their closets to donate dresses, purses, suits, shoes, cufflinks, socks and jewel- ry as part of the Second District’s first “Prom with a Purpose” event.
“Prom is a major rite of passage,” said Domestic Violence Liaison Officer Stephanie Arroyo, the event coordina- tor. “For the youth in our area, a lot of their families don’t have the means to purchase full prom attire.”
That’s about to change. Those in need of fancy flair are invited to a free shopping event on April 6, where they can browse dresses, meet with personal shoppers, get their outfits on point and potentially put a smile on their faces. It’s a small but important way for Arroyo to give back.
“Getting a brand-new dress or nice outfit from a police officer is something the teens don’t expect,” Arroyo said. “For us to be able to provide that to
them, free of charge...well, hopefully it changes their perception of us.”
The idea for the prom event came from Officer Daliah Goree, who cur- rently works with seniors in the Second District. Goree previously was in the Seventh District, where her Prom with a Purpose was a quick success. When she switched districts, Goree shared the concept with Arroyo, who hit the ground running.
Arroyo reached out to local business- es and fellow officers to find everything that a teen might need to make prom night special. Donations have been fil- tering in, and the success of the event seems imminent.
Balloons will fill the room and pho- tographers will be on hand as teens browse the fashions on display. There will be refreshments, a raffle and (hope- fully) a tailor on hand to make every al- teration perfect.
It’s an event for which Arroyo has
worked hard, and one that she hopes will impact the youth in her community in an unexpected and appreciated way.
“I’m very nervous and I hope it goes well,” she said. “I’m hoping it’s going to be a good turnout and all the girls and boys are able to find something they re- ally like and need.”
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