LOUISVILLE, Ky. — An organization in Louisville is teaching students to sew and design one-of-a-kind looks at no cost, empowering youth to learn new skills and form lifelong friendships.

What You Need To Know

  • The Ace Project hosts classes for teens to learn skills, heal from trauma and make friends 

  • The organization is dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved children and families affected by gun violence and trauma

  • Hannah Clay and her classmates took part in PROM: Positive Reinforcement Over Myself Gala

  • Students learned to sew their garments over eight months 

Thirteen-year-old Hannah Clay has spent the last eight months getting ready for prom, or the Ace Project’s “Positive Reinforcement Over Myself” Gala.

“I thought it was a really cool thing. My grandma did sewing, and she told me how she made her prom dress,” Clay said. “And I wanted to make my prom dress when I go prom, even though that’s a long time from now.”

The Ace Project is an organization dedicated to transforming the lives of underserved children and families affected by gun violence and trauma.

It creates a supportive environment and, along the way, teaches new skills.

 

Hannah and twelve other young women ages 12-18 have learned to sew everything from ball gowns to corsets.

And they got to show the world their designs on Sunday. 

“We are going to walk down the runway and model. I’m a little nervous, but at the same time I’m excited,” said Clay. 

Hannah and her classmates not only gained life long skills, but lifelong friends.

“They’re my soul-sisters and they’re funny and they make me smile. They all have their own personalities that make them unique,” said Clay. 

And now to students have gained the confidence to walk the runway.

The prom project is just one of the various programs that the Ace Project hosts.