Prom season has arrived in the metro Detroit area and the Comerica Bank Prom Dress Drive once again helped dress out students in the metro Detroit area.
The annual drive continues to grow in success and impact with community partner Jackets for Jobs.
Comerica held its sixth annual Prom Dress Drive, March 18-April 12 when individuals and businesses alike dropped off new or gently used dresses, along with accessories to benefit southeast Michigan students.
Then for the second consecutive year, Comerica supplied donated dresses and accessories to community partner Jackets for Jobs, a Detroit-based nonprofit that focuses on career development and removes barriers by providing high-quality clothing that makes clients look and feel professional to support workplace success.
The bank collected over 2,600 dresses during the four-week drive, which included nine banking centers receiving nearly 2,500 of the total dresses collected. The remaining were donated by employees.
Jackets For Jobs estimated that laying out 2,600 dresses side by side would result in covering the area larger than a professional soccer field.
The overall total prom dresses collected and the amount donated to Comerica’s participating banking centers are the highest tallies in the six years that Comerica has held a prom dress drive in southeast Michigan (2017-19 and 2021-24).
Since partnering with Jackets For Jobs in 2023, new records were set each year for the total dresses donated, including 2,259 in 2023 and 2,615 in 2024. In the two-year partnership, nearly 4,900 dresses (actual count: 4,874) have been collected during Comerica’s Prom Dress Drive.
With this year’s totals, has now surpassed 10,000 prom dresses collected and donated to two local community organizations (Jackets For Jobs, 2023-24; Hope Closet, 2017-19 and 2022)
Prom Dress Boutique Impact
Following the prom dress drive, Jackets For Jobs held a three-day Prom Dress Boutique at the Samaritan Center in Detroit, April 19-21, where approximately 530 dresses were distributed to students representing approximately 50 different schools in the Metro Detroit area.
Due to the large volume of donations received, approximately 100 dresses and dress suits were designated through the sorting process to directly support Jackets For Jobs daily workforce development initiative to provide professional clothing and essential attire for job seekers.
The surplus of collected dresses ensures that support extends beyond the confines of a single event.
“The surplus of collected dresses serves as a beacon of hope and possibility, demonstrating our collective ability to create lasting change in the lives of those we serve. Through ongoing efforts and community collaboration, we remain steadfast in our commitment to fostering a culture of inclusivity and empowerment,” said Alison Vaughn, Jackets For Jobs Founder and Executive Director.
By maintaining a surplus, Jackets for Jobs can continue to provide access to formal attire for students in need throughout the year, ensuring that no individual is left behind. The surplus dresses will also be used for military balls and homecoming.
“The success of our prom dress giveaway event extends far beyond the numbers. It is a testament to the boundless generosity and compassion of our community, and it us a reminder of the transformative power of collective action,” said Vaughn.
Powered By Comerica Cares
The Jackets For Jobs Prom Dress Boutique would not be possible without the contributions of Comerica Cares volunteers who assisted in the set-up, execution and tear-down of the event.
Over six days, approximately 70 Comerica colleagues volunteered time and supported the dress boutique. Support included dress and shoe sorting, boutique buildout, registration, personal shoppers and boutique tear-down.
To operate the boutique, Comerica Cares volunteers worked enthusiastically alongside five Jackets For Jobs employees during 35 hours of available shifts to make the annual dress giveaway event a success.
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