22 Years in a 10-Year-Old City

Lupe Erwin moved to Aliso Viejo 22 years ago, years before its incorporation in 2001.

It looked very different.

• Town Center didn’t exist. Erwin had to drive to Laguna Hills to buy groceries.
• There was only one school, Foxborough Elementary, in Aliso Viejo.
• Aliso Viejo was not home to 21 parks, but open fields where Erwin and her children played—always with the fear of hidden snakes.
• The 73 Toll Road did not yet exist and its creation was surrounded by much controversy.

“It was a little isolated in Aliso Viejo because you hade to take El Toro Road or Alicia Parkway to make it all the way down to the freeway and out to really go north or south. The toll road, the housing expansion and the commercial expansion all took place in the early 90s and what felt like an isolated community started feeling more like a town,” she said.

Twelve years ago Erwin attended a meeting of 44 Women for Children, an auxiliary of the Orangewood Children's Foundation. A young woman who spoke at the meeting about the positive influence the foundation had on her life touched Erwin. The women did not focus on the abuse she’d suffered, but the changes made in her life.

Erwin is now a board member for the foundation.

Her current project with the Orangewood Children's Foundation is the . About 350 foster or socially disadvantaged girls are expected to participate in the dress donation program to receive prom attire. Donated gently worn prom dresses, party dresses, formal and bridesmaid dresses are needed through March 16.

Erwin said each year many dresses are donated, but there is often not enough size variety.

“Especially needed are contemporary and plus size dresses, along with accessories such as dress shoes, jewelry and jewelry sets and evening purses,” she said.

To insure every girl receives the perfect gown, volunteers like Erwin will purchase missing dress sizes. “Personal shoppers” then help the girls find the perfect dress and accessories for their prom.

“The girls are treated like VIPs and last year we also had donations of make up kits and application instructions from Mary Kay as well as positive self image workshops for the girls,” Lupe said.

Orangewood Children’s Foundation, Orange Coast College, Girls Inc., and Women Helping Women host the “Belle of the Ball” event.

For more information about donating a dress visit the Orangewood’s website.