Students Enjoy Free Homecoming Pop-Up Shop in Wheeling

WHEELING — High school students dreaming of a fancy dress for homecoming but without the fancy price tag got to pick out a gown for free during the Homecoming Pop-Up Shop on Wednesday at Youth Services System.

Hosted by the Community Impact Coalition, the shop offered a variety of dresses in different sizes, colors and styles for the teens to try on and choose from. Several local businesses also provided gift cards for dinner or to get their hair done before the big night. For example, Stradwick’s Fade Cave is offering free haircuts for boys.

Renee Lucas, a YSS employee who runs the coalition, said the coalition includes YSS, House of the Carpenter, YWCA of Wheeling and NAMI.

Donors included Christ United Methodist Church, Generations, Fabio’s, Studio 27, Peyton’s Pretties and House of the Carpenter.

Lucas said the goal of the event was to get students what they need to help them feel confident during a formal dance. 

“My hope is to take one less stresser off of parents’ plates and kids, and hopefully they have a safe homecoming,” Lucas said of the free event. 

Barnesville resident Nicole Wilson brought her daughter Kiayonna Wilson, a junior at Barnesville High School, to the pop-up dress so she could find a nice gown. 

“My daughter, she is in need of a dress and, you know, funds are hard, so this way it makes it a little easier for us to get her what she needs, ” Wilson said. “We want to thank everyone for this program; we appreciate it.”

Lucas said this was the first time for the coalition to hold this event.

“This was kind of a quickly planned thing, but our coalition really came together in the past month and a half,” she said. “We’re hoping to do a prom event for Wheeling Central or Park or both in the spring.”

Lucas said people who could not attend Wednesday’s event can contact the coalition to see what is still available today or Friday. Visit the Facebook “Community Impact Coalition” or call 304-639-6478.

Lucas said the coalition also provided free pamphlets and information related to substance abuse prevention. 

“We know that underage alcohol use is a problem. … So hopefully they make good choices,” she said of the teens. 

Lucas said the coalition is always looking for people to get involved or offer ideas including youth ages 12-18 and adults.

“Impact's membership includes these 12 areas: youth, parents, business, media, school, youth service, law enforcement, religious, civic groups, healthcare, state and local government, and organizations specializing in substance misuse,” according to the organization’s social media.