By Brad Thompson
Not everyone has the opportunity to go to a traditional prom.
“Most adults have had a glamorous night where we’ve felt like a star: weddings, first dates, dances, etc. More often than not, this community has not had that,” said Wendy Wilken, special needs director at Traders Point Christian Church.
“The church’s goal is to reach a community that is often forgotten about by the church and to show families that the church loves them and their adult children,” she added.
As an act of love, TPCC annually provides adults with special needs an opportunity to go to prom, free of charge. Now in its third year, the church held the Our Starry Night Prom on Nov. 11 at its Whitestown facility.
About a month prior to the event, church members shop with guests for their prom attire. On the day of the party, each guest is assigned a chaperone who helps them in any way needed. Guests have the choice as to what to do, but often they go to the beauty spa where they can get their nails, makeup and hair done. The gym is turned into a restaurant where waiters and waitresses serve a meal at any time during the evening. There is a game room filled with everything from bingo to hockey. And of course, there is dancing.
The Church also offers a spa specifically for the caregivers, so that they can take the night off, relax and be waited on for a change.
More 400 guests attended and were joined by more than 1,000 church volunteers who catered to their guests’ every need.
(Photos by Brad Thompson)
