Howard Payne University’s Social Work Club recently helped facilitate special moments in the lives of several local high school girls by giving away free prom dresses. Dubbed the Cinderella Project, this year’s program placed 22 dresses with new owners.

The like-new dresses, some complete with store tags, were donated by HPU students and others in the community. A total of 37 girls, accompanied by friends and loved ones, browsed through the collection.

The Social Work Club played music and set up a dressing room to complete the boutique experience.

“Rather than simply handing out dresses, we really wanted to help create a special moment that the girls and their families can remember fondly for years to come,” said Dan Humeniuk, club adviser, assistant professor of social work and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology.

Pictured above: HPU Social Work Club member Angelica Gray, a junior from San Antonio, browses the free prom dresses available during the club’s recent Cinderella Project.