Vera Court Neighborhood Center’s coveted adult prom event, Prom Encore 2025, is returning for a second year on Saturday, April 5, to raise funds for the elderly.
The event offers a chance to relive your teenage years without the awkward pubescent worries and will raise funds for its community programs. After its success with its launch last year, it will return for its second year this coming April. This year will be centered on aging adults.
Adult Prom came to fruition as Vera Court Neighborhood Center wanted to organize an annual major fundraiser. It lacked one initially, so Vera Court Neighborhood Center pushed to find something that could serve its community members, donors, sponsors and partners to have fun.
“We realized after talking to a lot of people that everybody’s prom experience wasn’t the best,” said Jalen Greenlee, development director at Vera Court Neighborhood Center. “People want to go but also give people a chance to have a fun time at prom as an adult.”
Year one to two will have some slight changes, but the feeling is the same. This year will feature a bigger venue with hopes of allowing for more to attend. It settled on Garver Feed Atrium because of its green area and exposed brick that gives a more prom-like feeling.
This year will also have its fundraising efforts centered on older adult program funding. Vera Court Neighborhood Center cites the lack of older adult programming necessary to meet Wisconsin’s aging population and the expected spike within the next couple of decades.
Currently, Wisconsin’s population aged 65 is 780,000. It is expected to nearly double by 2040 to over 1.5 million, according to the World Health Organization. In Madison, currently, 1 in 6 are 65 and older. The ratio is expected to be 1 in 4 by 2040.
Adult Prom will be held Saturday, April 5, 5:30-10 p.m. at Garver Feed Mill Atrium, 3241 Garver Green.
Tickets are currently on sale for $50. Proceeds are intended to help fund programming for aging adults.
