Our Mission & Vision

Giving The Glam provides an incredible prom experience for underserved urban and suburban high school seniors. We cover the cost of all attire and accessories for students who couldn’t otherwise afford to participate in their prom. Students are given an opportunity to attend their event in style, while we make a large impact on their self-esteem and confidence.

The  Glam Squad

Our Story

Giving The Glam is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization [Tax I.D.81-2960255] based in Massachusetts. It was created and established in 2014 by philanthropist Maristela Rapo and her daughter Alexis Rapo. 

Alexis introduced her mother to the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) program coordinator from her school, Dover-Sherborn.  Maristela worked with the coordinator to identify underserved students who would benefit from this program.

We work with young men and women who all come from different backgrounds and are each being faced with unique challenges. Giving The Glam comes into their lives and helps guide and motivate them to overcome their challenges by building their self-esteem and by acquiring newfound confidence to help them create a viable plan for their own future.

Our organization helps financially challenged teens to enjoy their high school prom experience. Each participant is provided with everything he or she will need to enjoy the prom in style – gowns, tuxedos, accessories, hair and makeup, professional photos, a video, and car service to the venue. But in the end, it’s not so much about the clothes, hair, and makeup as it is about the rite of passage. From the young person’s point of view, it’s the opportunity and experience of a lifetime.

 

Students are selected in coordination with Massachusetts Student Grant Programs including the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) and the Boston Police Department’s District B-3 Community Service Officers and the school’s counselors.

Our Goals

Provide New Experiences

Engage in School Activities

Set Peronsal Goals

Build Confidence

Being a Part of the Community

Spark Inner Joy

NEED

Financial constraints put unnecessary burdens on students and serve to alienate them from the rest of their student body at a time when they most need community.  Giving the Glam attempts to fill this need by giving everyone the opportunity to enjoy a high school prom, regardless of financial circumstances. By developing their self-confidence, we prepare these young people for the next chapter in their lives. 

IMPACT 

Giving the Glam is able to help financially challenged students feel included in their high school communities. Far too often these individuals are left out of many experiences due to no fault of their own and for them to finally experience this inclusion is an amazing thing to witness. Giving the Glam creates an experience that they will never forget.  

SEASON PROCESS 

While prom season doesn’t come around until May, the  Giving the Glam process starts early in January. First, the team helps each candidate choose his tuxedo or her dress. The next step is fitting and by the middle of March, we have completed the fittings. During March and April, our team starts choosing accessories to make sure that all candidates are dressed their very best. As May and June come around, the big day finally arrives. The entire  Giving the Glam team comes together for makeup, hair, manicure and to give the outfits the final touch. Prom is an unforgettable milestone for these students and  Giving the Glam gives them the opportunity to attend the prom, make lifelong memories, and build confidence.

Meet Our Founders

MARISTELA RAPO

Founder

I was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. I grew up in a very impoverished community and with that came many challenges. There were many times where I couldn’t participate in certain activities because my family simply couldn’t afford it. It was very difficult to feel left out in these situations, as many of my friends were lucky enough to be able to afford these privileges.

When I was 18 years old, I left Brazil and move to Europe where my passion for fashion was officially born! I am the former proprietor of two high-end boutiques, Wolford and Giuseppe Zanotti. After so many years in the fashion industry, I finally found a way to use my fashion expertise to make a difference and give back to all communities!

 

 

ALEXIS RAPO

Founder

Is the daughter of Maristela Rapo and is one of the founders of Giving The Glam. Her career in Giving the Glam started in 2014, when Alexis connected Maristela Rapo with the METCO coordinator from Dover-Sherborn High School, knowing that Maristela could use her fashion expertise to help a kid in need, and from there, Giving The Glam was formed. 

Alexis has a very tight bond with this program, and she dedicates a lot of her time to helping alongside her mother. You can find her helping pick out gowns with the girls, making the final adjustments on fitting days, or find her dancing with the participants on their prom day. Alexis loves helping make a difference in these kids’ lives! She currently studies at Boston University

 

The Glam Squad

Meet Our Team

Officer James

Officer James

Community Partner

Monique M. Veale

Monique M. Veale

Director of Outreach

Sandra Dantas

Sandra Dantas

Seamstress

Alessandra Sousa

Alessandra Sousa

Hair Extentions Specialist

Helena Martin

Helena Martin

Catalog Designer

Rena Witt

Rena Witt

Makeup Specialist

Jozi Felix

Jozi Felix

Manicure Specialist

Saint’ Clair

Saint’ Clair

Master Barber

Kiko

Kiko

Barber Specialist

Board of Advisors

Maristela
Rapo

Founder & President

Monique M. Veale

Director of Outreach

Andrea K. Yanoff

BOARD MEMBER

Cynthia Brewington

BOARD MEMBER

Peggy
Rose

BOARD MEMBER

Volunteers

Christiana Brown

Fashion Assistant

Nicole
 

Fashion Assistant

Aryana Moghaddam

Fashion Assistant

B & Beauty
 

Makeup/Hairstyles Specialist

Ana Clara Bonella

Fashion Assistant

Caroline Botelho

Fashion Assistant