Program Update

Bessie Morris Foundation Donates Dresses to "A Night in Paris"

The Dorothy Kirby Center is a facility in Commerce where young ladies and young men with mental health issues are detained in the juvenile justice system.

As stated in the Los Angeles Times about the Los Angeles County Probation Department Dorothy Kirby Center, "Officials say they are training staff to focus on rehabilitation over punishment... With a program designed for teens struggling with addiction, emotional disorders and mental illness, Kirby is known for its therapeutic approach."

"Giving teenagers a prom, an experience they might otherwise miss, is an important part of that, said Kirby’s director, Michael Varela. Students have to be on their best behavior to attend.

"If you want young people to act in a certain way or conduct themselves appropriately, you have to … try to have it so that it’s as close as you can have it with what’s going on in a comprehensive high school,” Varela said. “You try to reward conduct.”

Ivory Freeman, founder of the Bessie Morris Program, was asked by a former co-worker who is aware of her work in the community, if she would consider donating dresses to the Dorthy Kirby Center for their prom program. With this request, Ivory realized just how important this moment is for young ladies and young men, regardless of the obstacles. The Bessie Morris Foundation supported the program by donating dresses for this year's prom held June 14, 2018. This year's theme was A Night in Paris.

"It was truly a pleasure for the Bessie Morris Foundation to assist with A Night In Paris," shared Freeman.

November 2018