LIVONIA, Mich. – A special event is planned this weekend in Livonia for young women who never got to experience prom.
It’s all part of an organization’s effort to help young mothers.
On Saturday night, more than two dozen moms, 18 to 60-something, will be dancing at Burton Manor.
“I was told my life was going to be over,” said the Founder of A Girl Like Me, Tyra Moore. “I just overcame it.”
Moore has overcome more than most. At 14, she found out she was pregnant, a secret she carried to term.
“I told my mom on a Tuesday and gave birth in the same week on that Friday,” Moore said.
When Moore came home from the hospital, her house was filled with nearly two years worth of supplies that she needed for her little girl.
“When I was holding my baby, I was like, ‘I don’t know when but one day I’m going to pay it forward and help girls and teens that are in my shoes,’” Moore said.
Moore was laid off during the pandemic, but she and her husband had $10,000 saved to help young moms. They dropped off diapers, formula, and supplies to moms in need, but she wanted to do more.
A Girl Like Me mentors, supports, and offers parenting classes to teen moms, but she decided the moms needed something else, like going to prom.
“I didn’t go to prom,” said Aniia Mailey.
Mailey is a 21-year-old mom to three. Her first child was born when she was 18.
“Going to high school prom is all about flashy cars, who got the most expensive shoes,” Mailey said. “This is more like ‘we did this. We all missed it together, and now we all get to do it together.’”
Her date will be her mom, Tiffenee Mailey, who also sat out on her prom because she was pregnant and hiding it as well.
“I’m excited now, but I wasn’t excited then,” Tiffenee Mailey.
The moms picked out dresses that were donated by organizations like Hopes Closet and Sparkle Network.
They picked up their accessories, and, on Saturday (July 30), they will be treated to hair, makeup and nails before getting dressed for the big event because we all deserve a little sparkle and magic.
“This is that opportunity that I missed, but I think I’m going to enjoy it a lot better as an adult,” Tiffenee Mailey said.
The mothers need your help as they are short about $500, which will go to provide transportation so the moms can get to the venue and to the other appointments before the prom takes place.
They are also hoping to hire a photographer to take the pictures, which would last a lifetime.
If you’d like to help with the prom or donate other items to the organization, you can do so by reaching out to A Girl Like Me Inc or click here.