Georgia Magazine - March 2024 - 42

Hometown HEROES
By Laura Berrios
Bonita Johnson:
creating 'enchanting'
moments
B
onita Johnson believes no girl should miss out on life's
" enchanting " moments because of economic hardship.
In the last two decades, her nonprofit, The
Enchanted Closet, has outfitted about 9,000 girls in metro
Atlanta and beyond for proms, homecoming dances, cotillions,
weddings and other milestone events.
In addition, volunteers with the organization have
prepared hundreds of girls for success in life through a
mentoring program.
Johnson, 53, says when she was a teenager growing up in
Atlanta, she didn't have a support team and often felt isolated.
" It was my goal when I went off to college to
do something to help girls, " she says. " It took me
a while to come into my own, and I missed out
on a lot of opportunities because I didn't have
that confidence. "
Johnson is a senior physical scientist and
environmental justice coordinator for the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency regional office
in Atlanta. But her nights and weekends are
consumed with the all-volunteer organization
she started in 2003.
The Enchanted Closet began as a service
project to give prom dresses to Atlanta girls who
could not afford retail prices. The prom-dress
giveaway each spring is still a big draw. The free,
one-day shopping spree attracts hundreds of
girls from as far away as Macon. Girls can select
from thousands of new or gently used dresses, shoes, undergarments
and accessories, most of which are donated by department
stores and boutiques.
After the first giveaway, Johnson and her team felt that they
needed to do more to help families. So they began GIRL$
Program, a mentoring program for metro Atlanta girls ages 12
through 19. More than 400 participate annually in monthly
meetings held at an Atlanta YMCA. The girls develop
community-service projects and improve their communication
skills. Well-known artists and entrepreneurs give motivational
talks, and College Prep 101 classes encourage young women to
pursue higher education.
" We've seen some transformations over the years, " Johnson
says. " Seeing girls blossom who before didn't have confidence
in themselves is quite fulfilling. "
The Enchanted Closet is the only prom-dress giveaway in
metro Atlanta with a year-round mentoring program. Cities
from as far away as western Canada have reached out for tips on
42 Georgia Magazine March 2024
Above: Bonita Johnson shows off a wedding dress.
Left: Two ladies inspect a prom dress.
starting their own dress giveaways, and Johnson counts it a
blessing to share what she's learned.
" Our mission has always been to outfit girls physically,
mentally and emotionally, " she says. " We're not just focused on
prom night, but the rest of their lives. They need self-awareness,
self-esteem and self-sufficiency to truly thrive in life. "
Laura Berrios is a freelance writer based in Alpharetta.
The Enchanted Closet will host its prom-dress giveaway on
March 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Blue Mark Studios, 892 Jeff erson
St. N.W., Atlanta. Department stores and boutiques have donated more
than 2,000 dresses, plus shoes and accessories, that are free to keep.
Dresses also can be selected year-round, by appointment, for other
special occasions.
To donate, volunteer or register for the prom-dress giveaway,
go to enchantedcloset.org.
THE ENCHANTED CLOSET
THE ENCHANTED CLOSET
http://www.enchantedcloset.org
Georgia Magazine - March 2024

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