With prom season upcoming, local civic groups are working to ensure that teen girls are able to participate in what can be an expensive formal event.

Exchange Club of Picayune is paying for a prom experience for two teenagers who were would have otherwise been unable to attend the event, while YUNEity is making sure one teen mom is able to enjoy her prom by taking care of everything she might need.

Female members of the Picayune chapter of Exchange Club will take the two teens shopping for dresses, shoes and jewelry, and will take them to get their hair and nails done for the event, said President Elect Courtney Knight. The group will also make sure the cost of the girls’ tickets and photos are covered.

During the shopping trip, the Exchange Club members will work to build mentorship relationships with the teens, Knight said.

“We’re a fairly young club, with some members under 30, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to reach the future of the county,” said Knight.

The hair salon A New Creation reached out to the club’s members and offered to do the hair and makeup for the teens at no cost.

Another civic group, YUNEity, is helping a teen mom attend prom.

“We saw a teenager in need… and she just had a lot of stuff going on in her household,” said Jasmine McCullough, YUNEity CEO.

The group will cover the cost of the young mom’s prom tickets, dress and shoes, and make sure that she can get her nails, makeup and hair done, said McCullough.

Prom is an event teenagers look forward to, and gives teen girls an opportunity to have a night that is all about them, said McCullough.

“We’re giving her the same dream that every other high school girl has,” said McCullough.

YUNEity is still fundraising to cover the costs of sending the teen to her prom, but members will cover the cost of whatever they are unable to fundraise. To support their efforts, contact YUNEity on Facebook or contact a group member.