Prom Outfits to Be Given Away at Century III Mall for Eligible Teens

The Allegheny County Department of Human Services' Project Prom Shop will again make available free prom dresses to eligible high school girls who find the cost of a prom outfit not within their family's budget.

In addition, young men who are or whose families are currently receiving services through that county department are invited to participate in Project Prom 2012 for Gentlemen this year.

The girls event will take place on the first floor of Century III Mall in West Mifflin Borough from Tuesday, March 6, through Friday, March 9, from 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, March 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The boys event takes place in the Human Services Building at One Smithfield Street in downtown Pittsburgh from 5 to 8 p.m. on every Thursday in April (5, 12, 19 and 26).

The girls Project Prom Shop will have available hundreds of new, gently worn and currently styled gowns in a wide range of sizes. All of the gowns have been screened to ensure that each is clean and undamaged. Accessories, including shoes, hosiery, purses, wraps and jewelry will also be available to complete each ensemble. Volunteer personal shoppers will be on hand to assist each Project Prom shopper with her dress and accessories selection.

"It is such a joy to watch the young ladies enjoy their Project Prom shopping experience and find the perfect dress," said Ondréa Burton, event and donations manager for the county human services department. "A great dress can make you feel fabulous on prom night."

Male participants will receive both a tuxedo fitting and a voucher for a free tuxedo rental after attending one of the four scheduled prom-etiquette dinners in April designed to prepare them for their prom experience.

Project Prom is made possible through the generosity of retail establishments and public donations. Project Prom for Gentlemen is further supported by the Dignity & Respect Campaign.

To be eligible for this program, all of the teens (boys and girls) must live in Allegheny County and must meet one of the following requirements:

• Currently receiving services or has a family member receiving services through the Allegheny County Department of Human Services
• Receiving or eligible to receive a free or reduced-fee school lunch
• Has a caretaker receiving unemployment benefits.

For more information about Project Prom, including eligibility requirements, visit www.alleghenycounty.us/dhs/projectprom or call 412-350-3428 and leave a message with a phone number to ensure a returned call.

You can also view event fliers in the media gallery located toward the top of this page (below the photo of Century III Mall).

     ..........

The Pittsburgh Pirates are sponsoring a Project Prom sweepstakes this year in which one female winner will be selected to enjoy an upgraded prom experience for her, her date and up to four other couples.

The winning girl and her female guests will take a limousine ride to Verve Wellness in downtown Pittsburgh where they will get ready for prom night with some of the Pirates players' wives. The girls will receive manicures, pedicures and hair and makeup services.

The winning girl's male guests will take a limo to PNC Park to receive etiquette training and to get ready with the Pirates players.

A professional photographer will then take pictures of the group on the PNC Park field before dinner at a downtown restaurant and additional transportation to the winning girl's prom.

Any girl eligible for Project Prom 2012 who has also recorded a short video about her prom and about what dignity and respect mean to her is eligible for the Pirates sweepstakes. (See the flier in the media gallery for more details.)

's prom will be on May 11 and 's prom will be on May 18.