For over a decade, Project Prom has been helping local students feel confident and celebrated on one of high school’s most memorable — and expensive — nights.
The initiative grew from helping a community member acquire a prom dress for their daughter in 2014 into outfitting hundreds of girls each year with free prom dresses and support.
“I saw a post on Facebook that a girl needed a size six dress in order to go to prom, and [asked] if anybody had one. The outpouring [support] was unbelievable, and it reminded me that years before, I had volunteered at a small prom dress giveaway,” Rene Kane, founder and former event chair, said. “It was a really rewarding event that had gone away, and I was like, ‘Wow, we don’t have this anymore.’”
From there, Kane gathered a few friends to bring the concept back. The response was immediate and overwhelming. In that first year, Project Prom gave 350 girls free prom dresses.
This year, from March 14 to 16, 425 were helped.
Much of the program’s success comes from community donations from local bridal shops and families who want to give dresses a second life.
“If you have daughters, you have prom dresses in your closet. There are so many people sitting with prom dresses, and they don’t know what to do with them,” she said. “They’re only worn one time, so they’re in great condition. Parents spend a lot of money on them, so they feel good donating them.”
Each year, the organization begins with an inventory of roughly 1,500 dresses, spanning sizes 00 to 26, though Kane said sourcing larger sizes is the greatest challenge.
While the numbers are impressive, Kane said the true impact is seen in the personal transformations that happen during the event.
“We watch these girls literally blossom in front of our eyes.” she said. “Some come in and they’re so shy, and by the time they leave, they’re twirling in their dresses, and they’re ecstatic.”
She added that the experience extends beyond the students.
“What [was] unexpected is that the volunteers get so much from it… it’s an unbelievably happy day,” Kane said, noting that despite difficult stories many participants carry, the event is filled with joy, connection and support.
Now, after years of growth, Kane is passing leadership to a new generation.
“It’s time… there’s always somebody that could come in with a fresh view and see things differently,” she said.
That person is Emily Oluoch, who has a background in fashion and community engagement.
Oluoch’s goals for the organization are to obtain 501(c)(3) status and transform it into a national confidence movement for young women. Currently, Project Prom operates under the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City, so this will turn it into its own nonprofit.
“I saw a lot of potential and how we can expand from just it being an event that happens one day [to] something more substantial that will impact the community…it can be an event that goes throughout the year,” she said.
Kane expressed confidence in the transition and excitement for what’s ahead.
“I wouldn’t have handed it over until I found the right person… but I believe that Emily is the right person to carry the torch, and she has some big ideas, which is exciting to see that this could grow even larger than it is,” she said.
Reflecting on her experience, Kane said Project Prom is the most meaningful work she’s done — and hopes others will continue its mission.
“It’s seriously been the most rewarding thing that I have ever done, and that if there’s anybody out there that feels that this could be a passion for them, that they should get in touch,” she said.
Julia graduated from Rider University in 2024 with a BA in multiplatform journalism and minor in social media strategies. In addition to reporting on local news for Shore Local, she is a social media strategist for small businesses. Connect with her: shorelocaljulia@gmail.com or @juliatrain on Instagram.
