HONOLULU, HI — YWCA O‘ahu announced today that it will be acquiring The Bella Project, the local nonprofit organization that strives to make prom and other special events affordable for every high school student. The Bella Project will become a program of YWCA O‘ahu under the organization’s Dress for Success Honolulu program.
The Bella Project breaks down financial barriers for youth so all can participate in formal events by providing dresses and other formal attire free of charge. YWCA O‘ahu and The Bella Project saw an opportunity to collaborate on the boutique in March 2023 since their missions aligned.
In 2023, YWCA Oahu’s Dress for Success Honolulu program celebrated 20 years of empowering women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. The Bella Project, like DFS Honolulu, gives young adults a boost of confidence, by giving them the ability to participate in special events without having to worry about the financial burden it may cause their families.
“YWCA O‘ahu and The Bella Project have shared a common goal of empowering young adults to have confidence in how they present themselves in the world,” said Noriko Namiki, chief executive officer of YWCA O‘ahu. “We are looking forward to continuing the wonderful work built by The Bella Project over the years and helping students shine at their school events.”
“Over the past 14 years, The Bella Project has given out over 4,000 dresses to low income, special needs, and critically ill high school students,” said Valerie Schmidt, president of the Bella Project. “We are happy that the YWCA will be able to take over the legacy of providing hope and dreams to young women.”
The Bella Project is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2009. Its mission is to make prom affordable for every high school student by collecting formal dresses and accessories and providing them free of charge to those unable to purchase their own prom attire. The Bella Project promotes self-confidence, individual beauty and diversity among young adults in Hawai‘i and provides a fun, respectful atmosphere for volunteers and the students they serve.
About YWCA O‘ahu
Founded in 1900, YWCA O‘ahu is noted as the oldest and largest women’s membership organization in Hawai‘i. As a 501(c)(3) organization, YWCA O‘ahu supports women and girls by providing opportunities for economic advancement, leadership/business development, and health and wellness. YWCA O‘ahu has three facilities on O‘ahu: YWCA Laniākea in downtown Honolulu, YWCA Fernhurst in Makiki and YWCA Kokokahi in Kāne‘ohe. To support YWCA O‘ahu, visit www.ywcaoahu.org/donate.
