A Stitch Above 

It's prom season. For most high school girls this means dates, dresses, and memories that will last well beyond graduation. But not every girl will have the financial means to make those potential memories a reality. It's the memories of those girls that Goshen resident Angelia Settles cares most about.

Angelia volunteers as a seamstress with "Kenzie's Closet" in Hyde Park. The shop takes donations of formal dresses, shoes, handbags, and jewelry all year long. Then when prom season hits, they give all those donations away to girls who otherwise may not be able to afford those items, and would likely not make it to their high school proms. 

Settles learned about the organization 4 years ago when the project was just getting started. She said the idea moved her heart so much, she knew she had to get involved. "I told the Executive Director, you're going to need me," Settles said. And with that, she signed on to donate her time altering the dresses that Kenzie's Closet gives away.

Now in it's fourth year, the program is estimated to dress more than 500 girls this year.

Girls have to apply or be referred in order to participate in the program. Once accepted, they'll be given a date to attend the store. From there they get their own personal "shopper" - a volunteer who helps them find the dress, matching shoes, accessories, and hand bags. The dresses are then altered to be a perfect fit.

Settles says by the time the process is finished the participants are incredibly moved, "They say 'Oh I look like Cinderella', or 'I feel like I'm winning an award." Settles said the process is moving for parents of the participants as well, "Fathers see their daughters at the end of the process and cry." Settles said.

" It's clear that this woman has a big heart. Donating time to help youth is something that's incredibly rewarding," Goshen Township Board of Trustees Chairman Mike Keeley said.

With the exception of an Executive Director and an Executive Assistant, the program is entirely run by volunteers just like Angelia. Executive Director Brynne Coletti says those volunteers are the only way this program can continue to help so many young girls. If you're interested in donating, volunteering, or becoming a participant you can check out Kenziescloset.org. 

To learn more about Angelia, and her personal designs and handbags, you can visit her personal website at pommie-designs.com