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The agency hosted a prom for 20 of the clients at the Lindenwald United Church.
From Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” to the Bee Gees “Staying Alive,” DJ Cecil Williams of Showtime Cincinnati was spinning the tunes that put smiles on faces and had the dance floor crowded.
“When I started this three years ago, I wanted to come up with something to make them smile,” said Vickie Rogers, program manager for Ability to Thrive. “This has been the biggest one so far. What makes them happy makes me happy.”
The program is designed for individuals that are 18 and older; Rogers knows that many of them were not able to enjoy the same moments as their counterparts in high school.
“Some were not able to be in the same lunchroom,” she said. “So this gives them an opportunity to enjoy something they might have missed out on.”
Ken Routson said the prom gives people who normally would sit in the background and cry because they’re so overwhelmed by social events an opportunity to shine and have some fun.
“What we do is promote health and education,” Routson said. “We have them go out to places like World’s Gym and get involved with fitness. Then have events like this.”
One of the clients lost weight and became better at nutrition, so she was able to take control of her diabetic condition Routson explained.
Mysha Enneking, a professional wrestler who works out at World’s Gym, said she was happy to be at the prom helping with nails and dance moves with the Ability to Thrive group.
“I met a lot of these wonderful people at the gym, and they were interested that I wrestled,” Enneking said. “I just became closer to them and wanted to be here today.”
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Marcello Gray, also connected with the group at World’s Gym, and he was impressed with the fact that they were working so hard to get in shape, and working hard for about two hours on the dance floor.
“We live in a world that is moved by numbers, but these wonderful people are moved by passion,” Gray said.
Monica McQueen, 50, said she had been to all three proms and “being with friends,” made each one special. That was also the sentiment of Amy Thompson, who added, “it is fun to see everybody having a good time.”
Jonathon McDowell, 29, was at his first Ability to Thrive prom. “I like it because we are at something special and having a good time.”
Hairstylists London Ramsey and Jamie Anglin, both volunteers, along with Christie Heger of Bombshell Beauty and Tammie Barber from Hair, Body and Beyond, helped the ladies get prom ready.
“They helped make the day special,” said Cathy Howell of Ability to Thrive. “This is probably the biggest one that we’ve had, and the help from the community is very much appreciated.”
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