By Jack Lindner
Marietta Daily Journal, Ga.
AUSTELL, Ga. — Cool Kids Committee, an Austell -based nonprofit, is providing free prom dresses and accessories to high school students with help from the Cobb Police Department.
Delores Powell, founder and executive director of the nonprofit, partnered with Officer Riana Banks to bring back the organization’s popular prom project, a boutique-style store where all prom-related items are gifted at no charge to Cobb students.
The project was an annual event for the organization before the COVID-19 pandemic shut it down. This year marks the return of the long-awaited tradition, Powell said.
“The economy is crazy again ... and it’s just too expensive right now,” Powell said. “We want to leave a lifetime impression on (youth) about what it really feels like to receive something good and what it looks like to give something good.”
Cool Kids Committee targets bullying and gang prevention, youth empowerment and bridging the gap between law enforcement and the community. Powell, also known as “Mrs. Cool Kid” by the youth she helps, has partnered with the Cobb Police Department’s Community Engagement Unit for the last nine years to provide positive influences and experiences to the lives of at-risk youth.
Banks, a three-year officer with the Cobb Police Department and a member of the Community Engagement Unit, stepped in on behalf of the department to help Powell bring back the prom project.
” Mrs. Cool Kid (Powell) and myself sat down to talk about how we wanted to make these young girls prom dream come true,” Banks said.
From Jan. 6 to Mar. 3 , the Cool Kids Committee and Cobb PD accepted gently-used prom dresses, high heels, jewelry and other donations for the boutique. Donations were collected both at the Austell Market Suites, which is run by Powell, and the Cobb Police Department’s headquarters in Marietta .
After the donation window closed, Powell and Banks sorted through their collection to pick out the 200 best dresses to put on the racks.
Banks said her goal with the boutique is to help all the young women they serve feel beautiful on prom night. With this project, Banks said she hopes the shop can establish a stronger connection with at-risk youth who may feel uncomfortable around law enforcement.
“It’s important for me because I don’t want (youth) to feel scared when they interact with me. I want them to see me as a human just as they are,” Banks said. “We just want to make these girls’ dreams come true. Walking into this boutique and seeing all the dresses we have collected, it makes my heart feel good.”
Shopping day was scheduled for Friday night where students could browse through the boutique without the burden of a price tag. All dresses and accessories were sorted by style and color so guests could easily find what they were looking for.
All high school seniors in Cobb County who are struggling to afford a prom dress were welcome to stop by.
The project isn’t just about fashion, Powell said, but fostering confidence, hope and support to those who need it.
“When someone sees how caring and giving back looks like, it encourages them to want to give back at that standard,” she said. “I want no students to feel like they didn’t fit in because they couldn’t afford that beautiful dress.”
Banks called her first experience working with the Cool Kids Committee “beyond a success,” and said she looks forward to working with Powell on more projects in the future.
The prom project boutique shop will remain open on a first come, first serve basis until all dresses and accessories are taken off the shelves, Powell said. If dresses are still in stock, those interested can visit the store at the Austell Market Suites, located inside the Austell Threadmill Complex at 5000 Austell Powder Springs Rd. , Suite 313.
For more information, visit coolkidscommitteeinc.org.
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