Destiny spent her summer working at our Adorned In Grace Bridal Shop through the SummerWorks program. Her goal was to learn career skills and support the anti-trafficking mission, but what she didn’t count on was finding a support system of women who surrounded her with love, gave her confidence, and became like family. We are very grateful to Destiny for sharing her inspiring story with us!
I came to the Bridal Shop through the SummerWorks program. I saw the opportunity and thought, okay, I’ve never worked in a bridal shop before but it seems like a really good fit for me. I’m in the process of trying to go to school for cosmetology and I want to be able to get into retail, so I felt like working in a bridal shop was a good stepping point.
I also got into it because the cause is something I’m passionate about. I personally was almost a victim of human trafficking but I got lucky and managed to get away before I actually did become a victim. I like the fact that Adorned In Grace helps a lot of people who have gone through similar experiences to have their voices finally heard. Being able to hear someone else’s voice, someone else’s story, is just so important to me because I personally haven’t had my voice heard and haven’t really been able to get justice.
Destiny channeling a regal vibe in a crystal tiara and satin gown at our SW Portland location.
Saying Yes to Having Fun!
My favorite part of working at the Bridal Shop was the brides who said yes to the first dress they tried on because it fit perfectly or needed only minor alterations. I loved seeing them looking so ecstatic in their wedding dress and knowing, this is my dress.
I remember this specific bride I was helping, she was more of a plus size model and was struggling to find dresses. She was a doll to work with, she was so sweet and had such a bubbly personality. I convinced her to try on a hoop skirt for me and she turned all around, just laughing and watching the skirt spin, and I thought, that’s what I want to be as a bride. I may not be getting married anytime soon, but that’s what I want to be like–to just have fun with it.
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As I was helping her with her second fitting, we got this dress donated in the mail. I saw the really big, ballroom style, rainbow dress come out of the bag and had to try it on. The bride was okay with me trying it on during her appointment. She’s like “you really rock that dress.” It was such a “me” dress because at the time I had blue hair. I loved every minute of it.
Just being able to have fun with the brides is such a great feeling. Every time I had a bride who was laughing and having a good time, it was almost guaranteed they would buy the dress. And you know, it didn’t matter to me that I sold the dress, it mattered that they found their dress and were happy in it. I think being happy and comfortable in a wedding dress is way more important than how it looks.
Not the “rainbow” dress, but a beautiful gown (and model) nonetheless!
When You’re Here, You’re Family
To someone who is thinking about volunteering, I would definitely say do it. Every day is different. Some days it could be really slow and other days it could be all hands on deck. Everyone is needed and we all just have a great time together. Everyone is so kind and patient, even the brides. I have a hard time sometimes speaking properly and being able to formulate words, but they’re always so kind and they don’t judge me for it.
Plus it is helping a good cause and you get to meet all these new people who ask you, “Okay, what do you think of this dress? Do you think we could sell this dress? Do you think we can fix this dress?” Being part of a team that all works together is such a nice feeling. It’s kind of like having a little tiny family. There’s a lot of love there for sure. The people are so kind and compassionate.
“I’m so grateful for the support that everyone at the Bridal Shop offered me. I’m so happy I actually did this. And I can sit here and say, now I know seven different shades between white, eggshell, and cream. And I know that if I were to call them up […] they would welcome me with open arms.”
I don’t have a maternal figure in my life lately, and it’s been hard trying to navigate the world. There are moments where I’ve said to myself, “I need my mom,” but my mom isn’t going to talk to me so I need to find the next best thing.
I tried to keep my life separate at work but I just happened to have some moments where everything went wrong. I just had so much going on outside in life that I just needed someone. Naphtali [Adorned In Grace Bridal’s Volunteer Developer] was so kind and understanding when I sat down and cried and said, I’m not doing okay, I have all this going on.”
I really appreciate the patience Naphtali had with me and how willing she was to work with me. I felt confident because Naphtali trusted me. She was just so kind and compassionate towards me, and I look up to her like the loving older sister that I’ve needed in my life.
I’m so grateful for the support that everyone at the Bridal Shop offered me. I’m so happy I actually did this. And I can sit here and say, now I know seven different shades between white, eggshell, and cream. And I know that if I were to call them up and say, “Hey, I’m going to make an appointment to come see dresses,” they would welcome me with open arms.
We are opening another shop in Arizona, so we’ve been sending a lot of our showcase dresses there. The fact that there’s going to be another store in Arizona makes me happy that our mission is expanding. What Adorned In Grace does is so important and I feel like every young woman should be a part of it, or really anyone who is interested in volunteering.
Even staff and volunteers have to try on the dresses every once in a while!
Beauty from Pain
I have been aware of a lot of suffering in the community personally because I was in the foster care system. I’d like to say that I got the lucky end of the stick because I’ve met some kids who had more than ten homes, and I got lucky with just two.
Every single day I walk the streets and I see a lot of homeless people that I want to serve at my future salon/spa. I want to give resources to help people get off the streets, to give haircuts to the homeless once a month or something. I want to help young girls express themselves and discover who they are as human beings, and that they are their own unique individual. To do this, I need to understand what’s going on outside of my own little world. Being able to do that with Compassion Connect is just awe inspiring.
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I loved being at the Bridal Shop despite everything I was going through in my personal life because I got to see all of these brides looking happy. I may not have been having a good day, but it always made my day better knowing that they were having the time of their lives trying on dresses or getting opinions and accessorizing. Another major reason I kept coming back was honestly just the whole experience of being in the shop and knowing what the cause is for.
My biggest takeaway from working in the Bridal Shop I would say is kindness. You don’t know anyone else’s story, so just choose to be kind, choose to have a smile on your face. I may not be having a good day today, but I know I can make someone else’s day.
To learn more about the anti-trafficking work of our three (soon to be four!) Adorned In Grace Bridal & Formalwear Shops, please visit us here.
