A daughter who lost her mother to suicide, and her kinship carer have launched a formal-wear charity for Adelaide teenagers in care who may miss out on Year 12 celebrations because of tight budgets.
More than 1000 donated dresses, shoes, bags, jewellery, shirts, ties and suits have been amassed over the past five months by Public Servants Sarah Bisbal, her aunt Joss Adele and a group of dedicated committee members.
The pre-loved formalwear will be offered at no cost to teenagers in care of foster parents and kinship carers as preparations begin for 2020 Year 7 Graduations and Year 12 Formals. This year the committee have also decided to support families in hardship due to the impact of Covid19.
Sarah came into formal care of her aunt April 2009 and was completing Year 12 at the time of the family tragedy. She recalled her Year 12 formal as a significant turning point. “I remember it like yesterday- I was so happy” she said I felt beautiful and it felt so good to be a part of something.
Sarah, from Norwood said the donated formal wear could change perspectives for teenagers in care encountering one of the hardest years of school high school. “It’s not just about looking pretty in nice clothes- it’s about feeling empowered loved and capable of anything,” she said. It’s about hope!
‘With Love’ formal wear is a non-profit charity organisation that dresses Young People in Care at no cost for Year 7 Graduations and Year 12 Formals.
They are working closely with The Department of Child Protection, The Office of the Guardian for Children and Young People, Connecting Foster & Kindship Carers- SA and Grandparents for Grandchildren.
The team are focused on the principle “It takes a village to raise a child’. All formal wear is being generously donated by community members. It’s a heart to heart donation.