Producing a Stylish Prom for People with Disabilities

Students from the Leaders in Service program provided the fashions, music and festivities for residents of the Center for Disability Services of Albany.

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 21, 2016) — They did the Electric and Cha-Cha Slides. They did the Cupid Shuffle. A client in a wheelchair even led a conga line. And they dressed to the nines.

These were among the festivities enjoyed by clients of the Center for Disability Services of Albany who were treated to an on-campus prom the afternoon of Sunday, April 17, courtesy of students from the Leaders in Service (LIS) program.

“We called our prom ‘The Cinderella Project,’ and it was a giant party and great success,” said Lindsey Chase, a Master of Public Administration candidate and a graduate assistant for LIS. “We had 25 volunteers show up, and they interacted with the Center’s consumers the whole time. We had many donations of formal and semi-formal wear and accessories, including a large donation from NYSERDA, so the prom-goers all looked great.

“One woman even told her aide at seven o’clock in the morning, she was so excited that it was going to happen, she wanted to get dressed right then!”

Donations were so generous that, post-prom, LIS brought the extra gowns and accessories to the Center for a prom of its own that it will be hosting for residents and disabled students in June.

The Cinderella Project was led by Community Service Assistant Shavon Brooks from State Quad. "All of the CSA’s played an integral role in the event’s success,” said Lindsey. 

A donation to the event was also made by UAS. Leaders in Service is supported through The Department of Residential Life and the Division of Student Affairs.

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