Social Work Club Hosts Prom Party for Foster Youth

For the past thirteen years, the social work club has been supporting the Abilene area with their annual prom party. Each spring, HSU welcomes the foster youth community to pick a prom dress and take it home. This year’s party was held last weekend, and the club helped the girls pick out the perfect dresses.

The event serves as a reminder to high school students that college is not only about the classroom, but also the experience. Melissa Milliorn, chair and professor in the Department of Social Work, explained last year that “We want them to know they are valued. And hopefully, throughout that day, they feel their worth; that sense of who they are, and that they are worthy.”

During the party, the girls were able to browse between the dresses, get their nails done, do their makeup, and get information about scholarships and Hardin-Simmons’ student life. The event is also a way to show the girls how much God values them, as they can feel confident and understand why it is important to have faith.

The message that HSU is trying to send to these young ladies is to feel loved, respected, and accepted right where they are, for who they are. For one day, they do not worry about the issues and stress they may have.  

The social work club needs donations every year. To donate a dress, makeup samples, or new nail polish, contact Melissa Milliorn at mmilliorn@hsutx.edu