Prom season is approaching, and in Downers Grove, that means more than just shopping for a new dress. Racks of donated gowns are filling Gloria Dei Lutheran Church as organizers collect items for the fifth annual Prom Possibilities event. The program has evolved into an initiative that promotes both affordability and environmental responsibility while encouraging students to rethink fashion and waste.
Christina Konieczka, a DGN parent who organizes Prom Possibilities at Gloria Dei, said the event has evolved over the years to benefit both students and the environment. She explained how the program was originally designed to ease the financial burden of attending prom. Over time, it has grown to support students concerned with the environmental impact of single-use dresses as well.
“When Prom Possibilities started, there were a lot of parents who were out of work and finances were tight,” Konieczka said. “The idea was to make prom more affordable for students.”
In 2025, Prom Possibilities partnered with Greener Grove, a local sustainability organization, to strengthen that mission. The collaboration transformed the event into a program that supports the community and encourages environmentally conscious choices. Konieczka shared how the goal is not only to help students find affordable dresses but also to keep gowns out of landfills.
“It doesn’t have to be that you can’t afford a dress. It may be that the environmental impact of a one-use gown bothers you,” Konieczka said. “We hope that people can find dresses that are affordable while also lowering their carbon footprint.”
Donation racks include long dresses, shoes, handbags and jewelry, many of them in like-new condition with tags. The boutique is open to any student, regardless of school district or residency, and organizers are working to spread the word beyond Downers Grove.
Christopher Gales, a science and sustainability teacher at DGS, believes that everyday choices in clothing can have a significant impact on the environment. He described how shopping for or donating secondhand clothing can help reduce the resources, energy and water required in making new items.
“Reusing clothing is one of the most effective ways to lower the environmental footprint of fashion because it bypasses the most resource-intensive stage: production,” Gales said.
Gales pointed to data indicating that the environmental impact of reusing textiles is 70 times lower than producing new garments. On average, every high-quality garment that is reused instead of purchased saves about 3 kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, and extending a garment’s life can reduce its carbon, water and waste footprint by 20% to 30%.
“In the U.S. alone, over 17 million tons of textile waste are generated annually, much of which ends up in landfills. Formalwear is particularly wasteful because it is often ‘single-use,’” Gales said.
The fast fashion industry makes the problem worse through overproduction and the use of synthetic materials. Clothing companies introduce thousands of new styles each day, leading to surpluses—about 25% of which go unsold and are often discarded. Many of these items are made from polyester and other plastic-based fibers that don’t break down and can release microplastics into the environment.
Michelle Sayer, a board member of Greener Grove, said Prom Possibilities encourages students and the community to take small actions that support a more sustainable and climate-friendly future. She noted that buying new items creates demand for more production, which uses resources and generates waste.
“This Prom Possibilities event aligns with our mission because it encourages reuse of prom dresses and accessories, which is so much more environmentally sustainable than buying new — especially for something that is only going to be worn for one night,” Sayer said.
Prom Possibilities also demonstrates that sustainability does not have to feel like sacrifice. Sayer described the gowns and accessories as beautiful and practically brand new, adding that the experience can inspire more sustainable choices.
“Nothing is being given up, and everything is gained,” Sayer said. “For those willing to donate their gently-used dresses, this action enables the cycle of reuse to continue.”
Student involvement has also been key to the event’s growth. Gloria Dei has partnered with school clubs over the years, and volunteers help organize and display donations. Rebecca Rodeck, a senior at DGS, is actively involved at the church and assists in the collection process.
“As a volunteer at Gloria Dei, I was asked to help with Prom Possibilities, and I accepted the offer. I knew that it was going to be a beneficial event and I wanted to do my part to help it reach its full potential,” Rodeck said.
Rodeck added that community events teach students important lessons about giving back and understanding the needs of others. They provide opportunities to see how acts of service can make a difference in people’s lives.
“I think student involvement and awareness are important for community events because it gives them a look into life outside of just school and sports,” Rodeck said. “The main point is that they get to see the impact of care and kindness while helping others.”
Prom Possibilities shows how thoughtful choices can leave a lasting impact. With affordable and sustainable options, the event gives students a way to participate in prom while thinking about the world around them. Each dress that finds a new home is a reminder that individual actions matter.