Special needs residents enjoy their very own “Night to Shine”
Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God’s love, for people with special needs. Hope Residence joined the celebration this year at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in Bloomington, Minn., one of 375 churches around the world hosting 75,000 honored guests on one night — February 10, 2017.
“This was an amazing way to show our residents they are valued and important. This was so much more than just a party,” said Debra Wilbright, Director of Disability Services at The Lutheran Home Association and Hope Residence.
Located in Belle Plaine, Minn., Hope Residence provides an extensive array of services to support and enhance the lives of residents dealing with disabilities. Residents at Hope dressed the part for prom, with fancy formalwear and styled hair. Volunteer hairdressers gave resident Joyce a cascade of curls to go with her light blue dress, white wrap and sparkly black shoes.
“She walked down the red carpet, and she just looked like Cinderella,” said Deb Wirt, Activities Director at Hope Residence.
True to fashion, the sparkly black shoes were a little uncomfortable, but Joyce didn’t mind, happy to spend the evening with someone special — her sister.
“I’ve never been to a party like that. I liked it a lot. I wasn’t nervous at all because my sister was there and always encouraged me,” Joyce said.
Heather moved to Hope Residence last year from Texas. She went to her high school prom, but Night to Shine was different. She got to ride in a limo for the first time, and everyone was crowned a king or queen.
“That was pretty cool,” said Heather. “I would definitely go again.”
All the prom-goers got to make a special trip down the red carpet and have their photos taken. There was dancing, hors d’oeuvres, karaoke and of course, limo rides. For Christina (pictured), who moved to Hope from Milwaukee, Wis., the limo ride and her date, Mitch, were the best parts.
“There were a ton of people,” Christina said. “I was excited for it.”
###
Night to Shine was created by the Tim Tebow Foundation, and 150,000 volunteers made the 2017 celebration possible. Jesus Cares Ministries (JCM) has helped organize Night to Shine at Shoreland Lutheran High School in Somers, Wis., for two years. JCM is a ministry of The Lutheran Home Association that assists congregations in reaching out to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and communities. JCM team members led disability awareness training for Night to Shine buddies at Shoreland, DJ’d karaoke and staffed the event. This year, JCM also assisted St. Croix Lutheran High School in West St. Paul, Minn., in hosting Night to Shine — providing volunteer training, chapel services and an emcee for the evening. At both events, JCM also talked with parents in the parent room.