ALLENTOWN, Pa. — When hairstylist Jennifer Marie saw that businesses were offering discounts for prom, she immediately decided to post her own advertisement.
Her listed price: Free of charge.
- Three Lehigh Valley women are offering free hair, nail and dresses to students attending prom
- The students attend high schools in Allentown and Bethlehem
- The business owners wanted to help single mothers pay for their daughters' proms
Marie, who specializes in box braids, cornrows and hair extensions out of a salon on Hamilton Street, is helping students look their best by offering no-cost braids and up-dos to students of William Allen and Dieruff high schools this week.
"I am a mom of three, so I know what it's like. I know what it's like to take your hard-earned money and decide between buying groceries or paying a bill," Marie said.
"I can't imagine a parent having to choose between gassing up the car or paying for their daughter to get her hair done for prom — what do you do?"
Last week, Marie's Facebook post offering her services for free was shared over 200 times. It even inspired others in the community to join the cause.
Women supporting women
On a recent Sunday, Glenda Clausset met with two Bethlehem-area seniors at Windsor Store, a trendy women's boutique at the Lehigh Valley Mall.
As the girls shuffled through clothing racks and shelves looking for the perfect prom dress and shoes, they smiled, made jokes and thanked Clausset for her generosity.
Clausset's original idea was to ask locals to donate dresses to her shop, Divas Boutique in Bethlehem, but with some proms less than two weeks away, she decided to take the students shopping instead.
"The reason I did this is because last year my daughter graduated ... and when I dropped her off at her prom, there was a lot of bullying going on," Clausset said. "That broke my heart. I promised myself that next year I was going to help single mothers that can't afford to provide a prom dress for their child."
I can't imagine a parent having to choose between gassing up the car or paying for their daughter to get her hair done for prom — what do you do?Allentown hairstylist Jennifer Marie
Her budget for prom shopping was capped at $2,000 — which is more than enough to help a handful of girls look and feel fabulous.
"I know a girl that didn't want to go to prom because she didn't want her mom to stress about paying for her dress," Clausset said.
“I'm just glad that God could give me help and the heart to help these girls out. I wouldn't want my kids to go through this."
Clausset, who will celebrate the one-year opening of her store in July, plans on hosting a prom dress donation event next year at the boutique at 1326 E. 4th St. in Bethlehem.
Uplifting and inspiring
After coming across Marie's Facebook post, nail technician Aliyah Simon shared a similar message on her social media.
She now has close to 25 Lehigh Valley students requesting free nail services for the big night.
"I am a single mother and that hits home for me because growing up I remember not even getting my nails done for prom," Simon said. "I saw Jennifer’s post and definitely decided to follow up on her idea. I feel too much negativity goes viral and not enough towards positive and uplifting things are noticed."
Simon usually charges $50 to $130 for nail sets and extensions.
"This is for them to feel beautiful, so I am not picking the sets for them. Any length, any design and diamonds and gems are included. There is nothing off-limits," she said.
Like Clausett, she's hoping do to something bigger for seniors in 2024.
"I want to be more organized next year. I will have fliers and podcasts," she said. "All events will be fully organized and mapped out correctly so I’d be able to take more people as well."
Simon also has six slightly-worn prom dresses up for grabs. For information, she said, call 717-528-6383.
Supporting low-income families
Marie, who graduated from William Allen High School in 2004, almost didn't attend her senior prom.
"I'm glad I went. I would have regretted it if I didn't," she said.
She's known for giving back in her neighborhood.
During the pandemic, Marie organized a food drive and collected around 50 school supply items and book bags for students.
"I think I just have this need to give back. If something needs to be done, I won't sleep or rest until it's done," she said.
"A couple hours before I made the post, I thought I have to do something for the kids. I was (annoyed) with the businesses offering prom specials at what they thought was a discount.
"If you want to help the kids, really help them."
