At Sunset High School, community liaison Erika Bonilla is making homecoming dreams come true by offering free dresses through the school’s clothing closet, Bison Care.
Last year, Bonilla gave away prom dresses, ensuring students don’t miss out on special moments because of financial constraints, and this homecoming season, she’s able to continue Bison Care through generous community donations.
This year’s dresses came from bridal shops, families donating quinceañera gowns, and the Dallas Public Library. From over 300 dresses, a full range of styles and sizes are available to students for the taking.
“I didn’t go to my homecoming because there wasn’t extra cash, so it’s just rewarding to see them happy,” she said. “They could take several dresses if they wanted to,” Bonilla said. “That’s money their family doesn’t have to spend, or now that they do have a dress, they’re able to afford a homecoming ticket.”
With the excitement of homecoming season, the spotlight has been on the new dresses, but the closet remains stocked with gently used clothing, shoes, business attire, canned food, snacks, and toiletries for students to use year-round. For roughly a decade at Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary School, Bonilla ran a similar closet with necessities for students and their families.
When she first started Bison Care, Bonilla only had a few items available, but even then, the impact was immediate.
“I didn’t think I was going to have a clothing closet here too, but my first story with one of the students was at the beginning of last year,” she said. “I introduced myself, and what little I had, to a girl who pointed to her shoes and said, ‘Do you have any shoes for me? These are my cousin’s, I don’t have my own.’ Of course, from then I thought, ‘Oh man, I’m definitely gonna start the clothing closet here.’”
For Sindy S., a senior at Sunset High School, Bison Care is also a safe space for students.
“I really enjoy coming to the Bison Care closet with my friends. We usually come help in the morning,” she said. “The Bison Care closet and Ms. Bonilla have helped me physically and mentally. Her admiration and dedication to me have shown me that she cares and listens.”
With a heart for her school community, Bonilla ensures every student can focus on enjoying their high school experiences without worry. As homecoming approaches, she continues to support students, reminding them they’re welcome at Bison Care.
