Inside The Dream
Success Stories
| The story that started “Inside the Dream” In the spring of 2003, Tracey Ciccarelli-Ridsdill, one of our Special Volunteers, learned that a student could not afford to go to her graduation. Being new to the country, with very little money, the mother was unable to spare her limited income for a dress for her daughter. Tracey, a mother herself, could only imagine having to tell her daughter she could not go to her prom. Tracey spoke with Ruth Renwick about this situation trying to find a solution. Ruth started an aggressive search to find a dress. Our Sister’s Closet donated an “Alfred Sung” dress but after trying it on, the result was that the dress was too big. Ruth did not give up; she went home and pulled some dresses from hers and her daughter Trisha’s closet. After trying on most of the dresses without any luck, the last dress proved successful. With only a few hours left to the graduation and some minor alterations, made by Ruth, the dress fit the girl. And off she went… Ruth also provided her with a corsage, shawl, necklace, earrings and a disposable camera for her to take to the party. Later, grateful for this act of kindness, the girl sent Ruth and Tracey a thank you note, promising to do well in school in the coming years. She also sent along some pictures of herself in the dress – making all efforts worthwhile. The young lady shall remain anonymous, at her request, but the event lead to questions about low-income families, peer-pressure, self-esteem in our youth, etc., and how other young ladies could be helped. That was the beginning of “Inside the Dream” the rest will be history and we hope to include more success stories on this website. ---------------------------- Here are some photographs by Sue Martin of the TEAM graduates.       |