our story
Our story revolves around a survivor of abuse and violent crime who transformed their experience into the vision for an extraordinary organization. This organization reaches out to teen girls and young women, offering them more than just a free formal dress; it provides an opportunity to step into their God-given purpose and realize their full potential. In our journey, we've learned that out of the ashes, beauty emerges, and even the mess becomes a powerful message.
The Dresses and Dreams Project is more than just a dress, it’s an experience. Besides our Operation Prom Girl program for teens, we provide gowns, shoes, and jewelry to military women and special needs programs. It is a safe place to learn about identity and healthy relationships; provides resources and support to serve as a pathway to breaking the cycle and embracing her life’s purpose.
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2
3000
2013
Dresses & dreams was founded
women & teens helped
Meet the
pearls
We are a collaborative offering vulnerable teen girls and military women with opportunities to make their hopes and dreams a reality. Providing free formal gowns, resources, advocacy and inspiring events to those with challenging circumstances and providing a pathway to a dignified life and their God-given purpose.
Dawn Schultz
Founder and President
Dawn began the Dresses and Dreams Project organization as ” Operation Prom Girl” in 2013, shortly after moving to the IE from Los Angeles County where she held an occupation as a makeup artist for over 20 years. She is a single mother of three and a blessed grandmother to a beautiful granddaughter! She is a multiple trauma survivor who believes every day of our lives holds God-given opportunities. She is a visionary who has a passion for matters plaguing our society like addiction, human/child/organ trafficking, fatherless family systems, addiction, and domestic violence. She enjoys water, worship, walking, mentoring, poetry, cooking, making artisan products and apothecary, and spending quality time with her kids. Dawn has an international counseling certification and a Christian counseling certification. She specializes in the fields of addiction, co-dependence and women's issues, with a focus on trauma healing and healthy relationships.
Natalie Morgan
vice president
Natalie Morgan is dedicated to service as a volunteer and in Christian ministry leadership. Born in Atlanta, Georgia she has spent most of her life in Southern California raising a family. In the past several years she and her husband founded Builders of Faith Ministries, a non-profit organization with the mission of serving others who are in need and spreading love through this service. Natalie is also ordained pastor. Builders Of Faith administers a prison ministry program, Angel Tree, a holiday Christmas extravaganza for children with incarcerated parents and underwrites scholarships and camp opportunities for youth. Natalie is a member of the Rock Church, San Marcos Campus and has volunteered with the Billy Graham Crusade, and A Night to Honor Israel (John Hagee Ministries). Natalie enjoys morning Bible Study, cooking, decorating and spending quality time with loved ones. She spent six years volunteering with The Dresses & Dreams Project before becoming the Vice President.
Tara miles
secretary & volunteer coordinator
Tara is a resident of Lake Elsinore, CA. She loves to be of service and has a passion for those caught in the grips of addiction. She mentors and publicly speaks to those who suffer from alcoholism and drug addition, in and out of jails and institutions, giving them hope for lifelong recovery and restoration. Her hobbies consist of lots of softball, dirt bike riding, and camping with her family. She loves to spread love and kindness, hoping to make an impact in life and all she does. She believes that with God anything is possible.
helen tkalec
Treasurer
Helen is originally from Serbia/Yugoslavia. At age 21, she arrived in the states after marrying her husband. She is a Menifee, CA resident of 16 years and is a retired bookkeeper. She is a wife, a mother and has three precious grandchildren. She volunteered at the Dresses and Dreams Project and became passionate about the mission of the organization and how the programs enriched the lives of teen girls. After serving on a number of nonprofit boards, she is happy for the continued opportunity to use her skills to make a difference in the nonprofit sector while helping to change lives of teen girls and military women. She is a Bible teacher and educated others about the dangers of communism. She enjoys cooking and reading and is passionate about God, family and country.
Bridgette Moore
CITY COUNCILWOMAN FOR WILDOMAR, CA , ADVISORY BOARD
Bridgette Moore was part of the inaugural city council in 2008. She has served three terms and is currently serving her fourth term. She was the first woman to serve as Mayor in 2010. She was appointed to Mayor again in 2016 and has called Wildomar her home for the past 22 years. She is married to her husband, Stewart Moore, and they have one son, Jake. Bridgette also has two grandsons from her bonus daughter, Catherine.
Keisha Montefleury
founder of abundantly authentic, advisory board
Keisha Montfleury is first a believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then a mom, and next an entrepreneur. She believes that it is our responsibility to encourage the young generations so they are armed with the tools, knowledge, and strategies to thrive as individuals. It’s important for our girls to practice HEALTHY CONFIDENCE and that is why she enjoys being a part of Dresses & Dreams Project. She is also the proud mom of 3 beautiful kids, and currently resides in Southern California.
Rosie Lovato
college and career, founder of generations rise, advisory board
Roseann Lovato is the Founder of Generations RISE 501(c)3. She has worked for the State of CA (most currently works as an Analyst) for over 18 years. She received a BA in Sociology (CSUF), and Master’s Degree in Education, with an emphasis in Career and Technical Education (CSUSB). She has mentored and volunteered with other organizations and has served as a Career Coach. She currently holds a CA CTE Teaching Credential to teach Business & Finance. She declares her Christian Faith and acknowledges that God has called her to mentoring and the teaching of life skills to at-risk youth for the purpose of prevention of unhealthy behaviors that often leads to harsh consequences including drug abuse and incarceration.
Aiko Yambao
SAFE Family Justice Center
advisory board -
Youth & Victim advocacy
Aiko is passionate about giving back to the community and helping others. She currently is a Youth Specialist with the SAFE Family Justice Centers where she focuses on programming and advocacy for at-risk youth and their families. Aiko first connected with the Dresses and Dreams Porject at their 2019 Operation Prom Girl where she held a resourse table and was a guest speaker about teen dating violence. Aiko eventually joined the advisory board and has since been helping teen girls through The Dresses and Dreams Project by offering resources and workshops about healthy relationships.
Candice Gordon
Advisory Board -
photographer & website manager
Candice Gordon is a family photographer who also serves as part of a team specializing in elopement photography and coaching. Alongside her professional endeavors, she volunteers at her daughters school on the PTO Board and with The Dresses and Dreams Project. With a passion for education, Candice has dedicated over 15 years to volunteering in schools, allowing her to build connections with numerous students and nurture their enthusiasm for learning. She is a resident of Menifee, CA and is married and a mother of two (one adult son and her younger daughter). She and her family love camping and traveling, adventuring and riding bicycles and hiking!
Thank you to our...
sponsors
We would like to thank all of the businesses and individuals who have believed in our mission and vision and that have supported our organization in 2023 by becoming a financial sponsor or community partner. May God richly bless you!
- Summer Pines Media - website design
- Candice Gordon Photography
- Chick-fil-a
- Menifee: Interfaith and community service council
- Kristina Spielman
- Jim & Anita Ward
- Altura Credit Union
- Target
- Eastern Municipal Water District
- Schools First Federal credit union
- 102.5 The Vine
- Nothing Bundt Cakes: Temecula
- Raising Cane’s
- Bob and Jackie Chade
- Inland Empire Health Plan
- Ranch RV & Self Storage
- In his hands ministry
- Molina Healthcare
- GSFE
- Walmart
- HOPE Collaborative
- Builders of Faith
