The YWCA is breaking new ground and is pleased to welcome the new Church Street Bridal Shop. We celebrated the grand opening Sunday, April 4, 2004, with a fashion show that was held at the Holiday Inn Select.

Church Street Bridal was created to help brides afford their dream dress at a reasonable cost. Thirty-five brand new beautiful designer gowns were modeled at our fashion and are now along with many other available to purchase on Saturdays from 12pm to 5pm or by appointment. Bridal and formal merchants in surrounding areas donated all the dresses to the YW and the proceeds go toward our programs.

We feel that this new program will not only help relieve some of the wedding worries of cost but allow us to continue to give something back to our community that is both fun and worthwhile. We are looking forward in making a difference and allowing “A New Way to Walk Down the Aisle.”

The YWCA invites you to observe the National Day of Commitment to Eliminate Racism with a 10-minute Downtown walk, and to be our guest afterward for an informal lunch.

Our hope is that Side by Side for Racial Harmony and Justice will bring together community leaders and committed citizens who value peace, justice and dignity for all.

We will assemble in the YWCA gym prior to noon. Please wear your T-shirt if you have participated in the past. Parking available on the corner of Court Street and 6th Street.

We are please to announce that our 4th Annual Project Prom Dress was our best ever. This year, we held a Fashion Show on February 28th at the Miller Park Aviary at 1:30pm were girls from our Mentoring Program modeled a selection of prom dresses.

The girls had a great time putting on their Mary Kay make-up and getting their hair done by students from Legend’s School of Cosmetology along with modeling dresses that were donated to us by local merchants and citizens. At the fashion, the YW introduce our new Mentoring Program Coordinator Stevi Young to the girls in the Mentoring Program and the community.

We have expanded our Project Prom Dress inventory into the Bridal Shop were we hope to continue to sell dresses all year round, long dresses $25 and short dresses $15. Though the Project Prom Dress dresses are in the Bridal Shop, all the proceeds will still go to the Mentoring Program and our mission to Project Prom Dress will remain the same.

We getting excited and are already making plans for next year’s big event.

	May 28th: The YW will be again working at Friday Cheers. We need more volunteers to work this event, if you are interested please call us at 847-7751.
	June 24th: Board Meeting @ 4:00pm
	July 1st: We will be holding another facilitated film viewing on Covered Girls here at 7:00pm.
	July 22nd: We are planning for another facilitated book club event on Nine Parts of Desire, the discussion will be here at 7:00pm.