Woman earns the nickname 'fairy godmother' after helping poor kids have the prom of their dreams

A prom is an important high school experience for many teenagers. However, many of them don't get to attend the event for a wide variety of reasons. Missing out on that experience can perhaps feel like a difficult thing. However, in the case of underprivileged teenagers in Massachusetts, there's an organization that makes it possible for them to get shoes, clothes, makeup and even a car service for free. As per the website, the organization, Giving The Glam, which goes by @givingtheglam on Instagram, works to provide a prom experience for underserved urban and sub-urban high school seniors.

They cover the cost of everything that a student might need to have a good prom experience. "Students are given an opportunity to attend their event in style while we make a large impact on their self-esteem and confidence," the mission statement of Giving The Glam highlighted. The organization is based out of Massachusetts and is a non-profit organization started by philanthropist Maristela Rapo and her daughter Alexis Rapo in 2014. The daughter introduced her mom to the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) program coordinator from her school, Dover-Sherborn, who, in turn, helped her recognize teens who could benefit from her program. They work with people from different backgrounds and have a unique set of challenges to deal with.

"Our organization helps financially challenged teens to enjoy their high school prom experience. Each participant is provided with everything he or she will need to enjoy the prom in style– gowns, tuxedos, accessories, hair and makeup, professional photos, a video, and car service to the venue. But in the end, it’s not so much about the clothes, hair, and makeup as it is about the rite of passage. From the young person’s point of view, it’s the opportunity and experience of a lifetime," the organization emphasized. The organization picks students for the grant with the help of Massachusetts Student Grant Programs, including the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO), the Boston Police Department’s District B-3 Community Service Officers and the school’s counselors.

In an interview with GBH What Matters to You, Rapo expressed, "The whole idea— I believe that everyone needs help, everyone needs a chance. And we all know, prom in this country— don’t forget, I came from South America, I lived in Europe and here I am in the U.S— I’ve never seen something like that in another country. The prom is huge here! Prom is pretty much like the next thing to a wedding." She added, "I think it’s really unfair for my participants, the participants that I have, that not only face the financial challenges but face all the other challenges their life has thrown them to be left out." 

The philanthropist pointed out, "Some of my participants are alone. You know, they don’t have someone that can guide them. But for some of them that I help, it’s like they really are alone. Unfortunately, some of them think they don’t even belong to this world, and to have a stranger, someone they’ve never before, give them a sense of belonging and [say], 'Hey, you can make this happen. You can feel good about yourself.' And that’s huge." Rapo pointed out, "When I do everything for my participants, it’s first-class because everything relates to where I came from."