SAINT LOUIS, Mo. — Health care worker Tracie Ousley began donating dresses and suits more than 15 years ago and became a well-known face in St. Louis every spring during prom and graduation season.
Ousley's group Caring Mothers showed up for young people by providing free dresses and suits to students all around the metro. She even had the support of the Demetrious Johnson Foundation, which provided her a safe place to store and distribute her clothing each year. However, when Johnson passed away, the city locked down the building she was using because of its deteriorating condition and code violations.
The end of 2023 brought uncertainty for Caring Mothers' massive closet of dresses, but this year, it looks like Ousley may have a new home at the Harmony Church STL off Walton Road. Caring Mothers is now collaborating with Blessed with a Dress to bring a permanent space for donated dresses at the church and still help young people have a memorable prom or graduation.
"We're here to offer free prom dresses for any teen that's in need," Ousley said. "I don't care what your status is. We want each girl to come in here and pick out whatever they want. They can pick out a prom dress, they can pick out a graduation dress. We just want them to walk in and walk out of here like someone else cares."
Ousley said she remembers how expensive it was to put her two daughters through school and pay for prom and graduation. These days, the average family spends more than $1,100 on prom, according to experts.
"Times are so different now," said Ousley. "The dresses are very expensive and each dress here, it means a lot."
Gowns and suits have been donated from the community, sometimes the clothes are brand new from area bridal boutiques. Each Wednesday in April, students can book an appointment to shop at the church. Shoes, purses and accessories are all laid out like a store across multiple rooms and a dressing room.
"We have suits for young men," Ousley said. "I just got those probably within in the past year or so."
Young people can sign up every Wednesday to shop for clothes, but act fast because some days are already fully booked. Until then, you may see Ousley collecting dresses around town.
"It helps boost their self-esteem and when they look in the mirror, they glow, and that's what I want," Ousley said. "That's the meaningful part of all of this."
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