Founded in 2003, the Enchanted Closet is a volunteer-run, private non-profit service organization whose mission is to physically, mentally, and emotionally outfit Metro Atlanta high school girls from low-income families through programs that prepare them for social and professional milestones. The Enchanted Closet began as a community service project to provide prom dresses to disadvantaged girls in metro Atlanta. This year, the Enchanted Closet will celebrate 10 years providing prom dresses. The organization also offers a GIRLS™ Service-Learning Program throughout the year , which are life-readiness workshops to help increase the self-awareness, self-esteem, and self-sufficiency of girls. To date, the Enchanted Closet has enchanted the lives of more than 4,000 girls.
The Enchanted Closet needs donations of prom attire and volunteers to help outfit 500 girls in need for the 2012 prom season. Donation drop-off points are located throughout the metro Atlanta area and are listed on www.enchantedcloset.org. The collected items will be given away at the Enchanted Closet 10th Annual Prom Dress Giveaway on Saturday, March 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The Greater Piney Grove Baptist Church, 1879 Glenwood Avenue S.E., Atlanta, 30316 and on Saturday, March 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University, 80 Forsyth Street N.W., Atlanta, 30303.
Items in need include:
- New or gently used formal dresses that are clean, in good condition and teen appropriate.
- Prom accessories such as jewelry, handbags, wraps and shoes.
- Gift certificates to restaurants, florists, limos and hair and nail salons.
Although the organization has had great success partnering with bridal and formalwear stores throughout the city, there is still a great need for dresses in all sizes, but particularly sizes 12 and up. The Enchanted Closet’s Prom Dress Giveaway began in 2003 as a project to provide prom dresses to teenage girls whose families were financially challenged. To date, the Enchanted Closet has outfitted more than 3500 girls for special occasions. In 2012, the organization will celebrate its 10th Annual Prom Dress Giveaway season. During the Prom Dress Giveaway, the Enchanted Closet offers a boutique-style setting and provides personal shoppers – people who are volunteers – to help each girl choose that perfect dress, accessories and makeup for their special night.
“The Enchanted Closet believes that every girl should have the chance to attend her high school prom,” said Bonita Johnson, Enchanted Closet President and CEO. “Unfortunately, many girls will miss their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity because they cannot afford to buy dresses. Their families have to make a choice between household or school expenses or purchasing a dress. Since many teenagers today are being raised by single parents, grandparents and others on a fixed income, prom season can be a stressful time.”
Enchanted Closet encourages girls to be smart shoppers by providing them an opportunity to get beautiful gowns for $10, a handling fee that helps to offset the costs of dry-cleaning, alterations, and set-up. Accessories are available on a limited basis, including jewelry, wraps, and shoes. Registration for the Prom Dress Giveaway for interested girls and volunteers and additional information is now available on enchantedcloset.org.
