About Us

Giving The Glam is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Massachusetts. It was created and established in 2014 by philanthropist Maristela Rapo and her daughter Alexis Rapo. Alexis introduced her mother to the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) program coordinator from her school, Dover-Sherborn. Maristela worked with the coordinator to identify underserved students who would benefit from this program.

We work with young men and women who all come from different backgrounds and are each being faced with unique challenges. Giving The Glam comes into their lives and helps guide and motivate them to overcome their challenges by building their self-esteem and by acquiring a newfound confidence to help them create a viable plan for their own future. Our organization helps financially challenged teens enjoy their high school prom experience. Each participant is provided with everything he or she will need to enjoy the prom in style – gowns, tuxedos, accessories, hair and makeup, professional photos, a video and car service to the venue. But in the end, it’s not so much about the clothes, hair and makeup as it is about the rite of passage. From the young person’s point of view, it’s the opportunity and experience of a lifetime.

Students are selected in coordination with Massachusetts Student Grant Programs including the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) and the Boston Police Department’s District B-3 Community Service Officers.

Giving The Glam is making a difference in people’s lives.

Perhaps one of last year’s students put it best: “To get compliments was not only nice to hear, but also empowering. It made me feel a new confidence in myself that I never knew I could have. That is exactly how I felt on my prom night…and how I still feel today.”