Prom Dress
Jes and jaleen share their story
Jes didn’t set out to lead a high school small group. When she first signed up to serve, she imagined herself connecting with junior high students. But when she was asked to consider leading high school girls instead, she hesitated.
“It’s been so long since I was in high school,” she thought. Still, she said yes. That one yes would turn into something much bigger than she expected.
One of the girls in Jes’s group is Jaleen, who started coming to high school nights after her twin sister encouraged her to check it out.
Jaleen (right) and her twin sister
At first, Jaleen was quiet, but over time, she began to open up, and Jes was there for her with steady encouragement and support.
A few weeks before prom, Jaleen shared she didn’t have a dress for prom yet. As they talked, Jaleen mentioned that she was dreaming of something unique—something “vintage,” maybe even early 2000s style.
That’s when Jes paused. A memory came rushing back.
“I actually might have something,” Jes said, smiling. “When I was 17, my grandma and I made a prom dress together. It’s been tucked away in my closet ever since.”
*Jes (left) and Jaleen (right).
What started as a thoughtful suggestion turned into a full-circle moment.
For Jes, the dress represented so much more than fabric and stitching. It was a sweet memory with her grandmother, a moment of love and creativity, made with care. She never imagined it would have a second life.
But it did.
Jaleen tried it on, and it was perfect. “She might be the only person I know who would’ve worn it,” Jes laughed.
That moment wasn’t just about a prom dress. It was about the kind of relationships being formed every week in small groups. Jes didn’t just show up on Sunday nights—she showed up in the in-between moments, the text check-ins, the words of encouragement, and the unexpected opportunities to love students right where they are.
Move Up Weekend is the perfect time to come check out Eastside’s Next Gen Ministry! We know that whether it’s your child’s first time—or first time in a while—it can feel a little overwhelming. But stories like Jes and Jaleen’s remind us just how incredible our small group leaders really are. Around here, we call them Change Makers—and they’re the everyday heroes making a difference in kids’ and students’ lives each week. If a Change Maker has impacted your child, we’d love to hear about it. Share your story at eastside.com/stories.