Decatur Youth Services to host Sneaker Ball on Friday
Jun. 12—Decatur Youth Services will host a Sneaker Ball for middle- and high school -age kids on Friday, in part as an effort to make sure those that couldn't afford their prom or other school dances make it to a similar event.
Attendees at the DYS Sneaker Ball will dress up in formal attire and sneakers and eat and dance in the gym at the Aquadome from 7 to 9 p.m.
Administrator Lemzel Johnson will act as a DJ for the event, said DYS Girls-2-Women mentoring coordinator Asa Taylor.
All youths of the Girls-2-Women and the Boys-2-Men mentoring programs at DYS were invited and given the opportunity to invite two friends as well.
Taylor has received a few dresses that were donated by friends and hopes to ensure every attendee has a nice outfit to wear.
DYS wanted to host the Sneaker Ball for those who could not attend the ones at their school, Taylor said.
"I am the coordinator of Girls-2-Women and they had mentioned that some of them weren't able to go to the (event) at their school because they couldn't afford it, so we were trying to make it happen for them and their friends, so they wanted to open it up to their friends," Taylor said.
The event is different from a gala or prom, said DYS Boys-2-Men mentoring program coordinator Johnny Jones.
"You know middle school kids don't get to go to prom, or things like that, don't get to dress up. They have the raves and stuff, but you want to do like a kids' dress-up attire event for the kids, with sneakers," Jones said.
DYS is anticipating 50 to 100 kids to attend the event, Jones said.
Taylor said all middle- to high school-aged students in the community are welcome to attend.
DYS is always looking for something enjoyable and safe to keep the youth busy, Taylor said.
"We're excited. I hope it's a a fun time; that's what I'm aiming for. I just want them to have a good time. Good, safe fun," Taylor said.
Both program coordinators said DYS may continue to host this event in the future.
— raven.sanders@decaturdaily.com or 245-340-2438.
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