( ENSPIRE Fashion ) Foster Care Unplugged Slays the Runway
Foster Care Unplugged and HeartShare Saint Vincent’s Services (HSVS) set off the summer with their 3rd annual fashion show, featuring nearly twenty participating young people, and showcasing many unique designs by Doewiz Apparel, Fontaine Concierge, Shannon Shenone, Black Tag Apparel, and Christian & Grace by Danni Farrar. The event took place at Prince George Ballroom in Manhattan, NY.
Foster Care Unplugged is an organization that focuses on the development of young foster children. The program helps them develop their social and emotional skills to ensure them a positive path of success to adulthood. The program was started by Melody Centeno who grew up in the foster care system and is now a licensed mastered social worker. She’s put much time and effort into supporting foster care youth and by partnering with HeartShare St Vincent Services for Slay Trey, she has been able to change each child’s life through her yearly fashion shows.
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Photo Credit: @melodyjc[/caption]
Experiencing the amped energy everyone gave backstage from the children to the designers was very refreshing and welcoming. The high level of intensity also beamed out from the faces of the participants once they stepped on to the runway. The audience gave extraordinary feedback to each model on the runway as they knew how much effort and dedication the kids put in. After the showcase, everyone had the opportunity to take pictures with the children and the founder, get to know them as well as donate money to the foundation. The event ended with great food, drinks and a ton of networking.
This is the investment you’ll see a decade later,” said Melody Centeno, former foster youth, founder of Foster Care Unplugged and coach for the Slay Tre models. “Thanks to HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services, I went to Adelphi College, where I participated in a fashion boot camp. My self-esteem grew from the experience and hoped Slay would have a similar impact on our youth.” Melody’s daughter, Savannah, made an appearance on the runway too.
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The Slay Tre Fashion Show was made possible by a community of supporters, including generous sponsors, the Youth Development team and the Junior Board pictured here. HSVS Director of Education Lauren Pettiette at center.[/caption]
Programs like this are a necessity for our youth in the foster care system. Foster Care Unplugged makes each child feel important and limitless. We should continue to promote this foundation and make a life-changing impact on each child’s life. Foster Care unplugged definitely slayed that runway and we look forward to more upcoming events.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkBND-DnPBn/?tagged=fostercareunplugged
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https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo5Xx4BHC0A/?taken-by=doewizapparel
Source: HeartShare St. Vincent’s Services]]>
