Augusta Dream Center helps teens have a night to remember, for free

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta Dream Center helped make some teenagers’ prom dreams come true.

Oftentimes getting set up for prom is an expensive process for a memory that could last a lifetime.

It’s a way to help take away any financial stress that comes with prom.

It adds up quickly when it comes to clothes, hair, makeup, and more, but hundreds of girls got all of that for free today at Stephens Creek Church.

It was a day dedicated to making each and every person that walked in the door feel special.

“Specifically for high schoolers, especially that are underprivileged or don’t really have the opportunity to go prom dress shopping. It’s really cool that they offer this opportunity,” said Sarah Smith, a volunteer.

It’s not just for South Augusta, but all across the CSRA.

“I love seeing other girls walk down looking so beautiful and feeling themselves just feeling like how a girl should feel. And when I saw everyone walking down in those dresses, I’m like they must be so happy right now. They look so pretty. They look so happy,” said LJ Lopez, who attended the event.

More than 200 girls chose from up to 3000 donated dresses while also getting their hair and makeup done and choosing from hundreds of accessories for free.

“Just think about how inflation has impacted all of us. So, you know, the cost of their prom tickets are astronomical, if you have a couple of kids in high school. I mean, how do you do that?” said Kellie Newman, Augusta Dream Center Director.

But happiness like this isn’t something you can put a price on.

“I really don’t think there’s a much greater reward than pouring in and investing into the next generation. And so, teenagers today are under so much more stress than ever before, just in this world today we live in, the culture and social media and all of those things,” said Newman.

So the last thing they should stress about is something every teenager looks forward to.

“It’s just like really cool to see like their transformation with their confidence and clothes and everything,” said Mary-Caroline Waldrop, a volunteer.

Everything may have been free but many of them left with something money could never buy.

“Grateful. I appreciate it. Made me feel like Cinderella,” said Aaliyah Samuels, who attended the event.

Augusta Dream Center says this was their biggest Cinderella Day since they started seven years ago.

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