Parksville’s Society of Organized Services (SOS) is expanding its Grad Wear Program to outfit graduating students from Qualicum School District 69 in formal dresses, suits, shirts, ties, purses, and shoes for only $10.
Alice Tulia, Child, Youth & Family Programs Manager at SOS, said the local community has donated formal clothing often only worn once, but that may have cost up to $1000 new. Tulia said, “By providing clothing they’re not using, or a nice outfit…they’re able to pass it on to someone else to celebrate that milestone.”
Upcycling and thrifting clothing is popular among today’s youth and SOS has been meeting that need and serving the mid-island community since 1968. Grads can email Chad Lum, Child & Youth Coordinator at SOS, to book an appointment to get measured and select an outfit, making follow-up appointments with volunteer tailors and seamstresses for alterations.
The price of grad banquet tickets, “promposals,” meals, limos, and afterparties can make it one of the most expensive nights of the year, so any cost-saving is often a real benefit to grads and parents. Despite all this planning, graduates often leave their outfits to the last moment.
“I think our biggest problem is that the grads wait until right before graduation…no one books until the last two weeks and then our seamstress wants to take on all these alterations, but can’t,” said Lum.
Tulia added, “We have limited sizing, especially for our plus sizes. We’re limited because we’re not a store. We depend on the community for donations, but I would say maybe 95 percent of the time they find something they like.”
Tulia said the program fills a real need in the community. “We don’t know the hardships these youth and their families have gone through to get to that point. A dress or an outfit makes a world of difference.”
If graduates do not find what they are looking for, SOS provides a $10 voucher for their shop where jewelry, hair accessories, and makeup can also be purchased. Local businesses are encouraged to offer discounts on up-dos, hair styling, make-up sessions, nail treatments, tailoring, and more.
From January to June students can book weekday appointments, with special bookings during Spring Break March 16–28 and Youth Week: May 1–7. Evenings are available upon request by calling 250-954-9035.
If you or someone you know is graduating, or has a student graduating in School District 69, consider using or donating to SOS’s Grad Wear Program this year. For those in the Nanaimo area, Prom Closet Nanaimo is another free option.
