Butterfly ministries helps girls come out of cocoons and dress up for prom and birthday celebrations

By Heather Hahn

On a recent Saturday morning, United Methodist women played fairy godmother to more than 50 girls.

Inside First United Methodist Church in North Little Rock, volunteers transformed Sunday School classrooms into mini-boutiques where the young women could choose among rows of sequined and ruffled formal gowns.

The volunteers also worked their magic on the fellowship hall where the teens could browse through tables of accessories to find matching shoes, purses and jewelry. Representatives from a local cosmetology school were also on hand to offer makeup and hair tips as well as coupons for future appointments.

“It’s the best day I ever had,” said Amy Cabrera, as she was getting her first makeover. “I get my own dress, and I get to have lots of fun with my sister.”

The elementary school student had selected a simple black frock to wear to church, while her older sister, Herendira, picked out a hot pink gown for Hall High School’s prom in Little Rock. The younger sister said the event provided her with the first dress she had ever owned.

Butterfly Community Ministries, a nonprofit group that works with the local Hispanic community, co-sponsored the dress giveaway on March 28 with First UMC.

Most of the ministry’s board members are also members of the North Little Rock congregation.

The event’s goal was to help families struggling in the bad economy by offering teens free dresses for their prom or other special occasions. More than half of the participants came in search of outfits for their quinceanera — the traditional Hispanic coming-of-age celebration for 15-year-old young women.

Mary Hoey, the ministry’s executive director and a former associate pastor at First UMC, began planning the gathering seven months ago after hearing about a similar event in Chicago.

“The times the way they are, I felt we needed to offer something to young women wanting to take part in proms,” Hoey said. “We don’t want anyone to do without participating in an important event in their life if we can help them.”

Church members donated some 200 new and gently used dresses, many worn only once to a school dance years ago. But the event soon grew to be far more than a one-day clothing closet.

Claire Hawn, a Butterfly Community Ministries board member, said she was amazed by the number of businesses willing to donate their services.

Florists gave away coupons for free wrist corsages and boutonnieres. Manicurists offered to paint the participants’ nails. Both Lee’s School of Cosmetology and Arkansas Beauty School in Little Rock also offered coupons, and Lee’s students even came to the event to share their expertise.

In addition, a representative from the League of United Latin American Citizens was on hand to act as an interpreter and distribute information about the group’s scholarship program.

First UMC members with a knack for sewing also were available to do dress alterations on site.

“It’s so exciting to see the expression on their face when they find the dress,” Jackye Krebs, one of the seamstresses.

“And then if they’re lucky enough to find the shoes and the bag too, it’s just like Christmas all over again.”

Hoey spread the word about the event through Spanish-language media, and the giveaway drew families from as far away as Rogers and Bentonville. A family from Oklahoma attended after reading about the event while on spring break in Arkansas.

For many of the participants, the event was not just a free shopping excursion but also a chance to create treasured family memories. An aunt brought her niece, a grandmother her grandchild and a father brought his daughters.

Church member Joyce Perez said she was particularly touched by the delight in one father’s expression when his daughter twirled around to show off the gown she had selected.

 “It reminded me of when I went prom shopping with my dad,” Perez said. “It was very neat just to see the beam he had.”

Lourdes Vasquez brought her niece Aurora from Memphis to pick out a dress for her quinceanera.

“This is a huge help,” Vasquez said. “Now is not a good time to be buying dresses.”

Estefani Rios, a senior at Parkview High School in Little Rock, agreed. She came with her 9-year-old sister, Ashley Murguia, to select the perfect prom dress. Her sister meanwhile found a dress for her sister’s high school graduation.

“I think this was a good opportunity,” Rios said as she walked over to learn more about the LULAC scholarships. “I think it’s going to help my parents’ budget a lot.”

So many dresses were left over from the March 28 gathering that Hoey decided to have an encore on April 7. About 20 teens came this time, and each was able to take home two dresses.

“It is just amazing to me the reception we’ve gotten,” said Hoey, who hopes to make the giveaway an annual event.“People are so grateful.”

To learn more about Butterfly Community Ministries, visit butterflycommunity.org.