Alicia Castro sees opportunity.

Old prom dresses are more than just a reminder of high school memories hanging forgotten in a closet.

For Castro, a senior majoring in social work from Danielsville, they are a chance to give less fortunate high school girls a night they will remember — which is why she created the program “The Last Dance” to collect used prom dresses for students who can’t afford one.

“Right now we’re collecting dresses that will go toward homeless female students in Jackson, Barrow and Clarke counties,” she said. “I’m working with some of the social workers who deal with homeless students to determine who needs it the most and who’s willing to accept a donation.”

Alicia Castro has been spearheading 'The Last Dance,' which collects prom dresses for girls in need. SEAN TAYLOR/Staff

University students have collected and donated prom dresses to local high schools in the past, but as chair of the Bachelors of Social Work Club, Castro hopes to take collection efforts to new heights.

“We’ve helped students in the past — some of our homeless students — have a normal high school experience of going to the prom by getting dresses for them,” said Jennifer Justice, Barrow County social worker and University liaison. “So I think [Castro] just heard that and wanted to do a whole closet for them.”

And while her goal is bigger than past efforts, so is the need: last year, Barrow County alone had more than 450 students coded homeless. The county expects even more this year.

“Our numbers have doubled over the past few years because of the economy,” Justice said. “We’re only halfway done with the school year, and if we double what we have now we’ll be well over 500.”

According to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, a student may be coded homeless for a variety of reasons, including those living in low-income multiple-family homes, substandard housing, motels or public spaces.

“Most of the time it’s because they are doubled-up, trying to get back on their feet,” Castro said. “A lot of times they will not be technically homeless any more, but once you are coded as homeless in the school system you are coded as that the rest of the year.”

The benefit of this act, she said, is that it ensures that the student will receive the same privileges, regardless of their financial situation.

“It basically gives you rights, saying … the school system is mandated to make sure you have every privilege that someone who has a home does,” Castro said.

Attending prom night, however, remains out of reach for many homeless female students without the means to purchase a dress.

“Prom dresses can be very expensive and they get put very low on the list of priorities when you either don’t have a roof over your head or don’t know where your next meal is going to come from,” said Lora Nation, a local mother and family friend of Castro.

Motivated by the good cause, Nation searched her closet for old dresses to donate and is rounding up more from friends.

“If by giving my dresses to Alicia’s cause I can help one girl have her ‘moment,’ I’m happy,” she said.

So far, 17 dresses have been donated from as far away as South Carolina, and collection efforts will continue until the end of February.

“Prom vans” will then be taken to the schools and girls will be able to choose their favorite dress, which will be theirs to keep.

“All girls deserve to have their prom night and feel beautiful and special,” Nation said. “I want every girl to have that special feeling to remember for a lifetime.”

‘the last dance’

To donate: Contact Alicia Castro: bacastro@uga.edu or

Facebook event: “The Last Dance: a benevolent prom dress project”