Belle of the Ball event helps empower at-risk teen girls

Teenage girls in foster care and “at-risk” homes were given a day of prom-dress shopping and beauty, self-improvement and empowerment workshops during the Belle of the Ball event Saturday at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.

During the event — a collaboration of the college, the Orangewood Children’s Foundation and mentoring program Girls Inc. — the 250 teens received makeup and etiquette tips, along with advice from a panel of professional women.

The girls were able to select from among 2,700 donated dresses, 1,000 pieces of jewelry, 1,500 pairs of shoes and 700 handbags, organizers said.

— Rob Vardon