More than 50 girls will have the chance to feel like Cinderella for prom night thanks to the efforts of a local nonprofit and area stylists.

The Nonprofit Consortium, started by community organizer Cheryl Board, is connecting Rockdale and Newton students who normally couldn't afford to go to prom with beautiful, fitted dresses and head-to-toe services.

The response from the community was overwhelming after a request on social media for Operation Prom, said organizer Tameika Porter, who reached out to school counselors to connect with students.

Salem senior Tashiana Fisher said she heard about the program from a friend. "It was a blessing in disguise," said Fisher. "I wanted to go and I had paid for the ticket but getting the dress was really hard to do and I didn't know what to do with my hair."

Newton High senior Demisha Miller didn't believe it at first when she heard about the program. "I thought it was amazing because I never thought this would exist."

The Nonprofit Consortium, which seeks to help non-profits become sustainable, was started in memory of Board's late daughters, Laura, 20, who died in 2003, Emalecia, 18, who died in 2005, and Erin, 29, who died in 2011. Board recalled the joy and happiness surrounding prom.

"It's a rite of passage," said Board. "Every girl should have that one night to look beautiful and enjoy herself."
Sponsors and aesthetic artists donating their services include Kacy Dell of House of Dell Boutique, hairstylist Timmeia Wilcoxson of Simply Sassy, Bress Defore of Nails by Bressy, and Carlish Yarbough, a Mary Kay independent consultant.

For more information on Operation Prom or The Nonprofit Consortium, call 678-463-7725.