Threads For Teens

Monday, June 10, 2013

Denver, CO

Denver, Colorado
Monday, June 10th

This morning we were pleasantly surprised to see Fox 31 news station filming the truck and trailer, waiting for us. Frank, the camera man/ reporter informed us that in Denver the news stations have what's referred to as a "pool," which means that though one reporter was on site, five Denver news stations will air the story. Unfortunately, Allyson was unaware that the press was going to be on site today so she was out running errands when Frank arrived. So- Natalie had to act as the Threads for Teens spokesperson.

Frank from Fox 31, (and 5 other stations) interviewing Natalie.

Fox 31 Denver news car.

Following the surprise arrival of Fox 31, Amy was approached by two very excited girls, their little brother and nanny. The group was looking for Allyson. The two girls, Emily and Michaela, had seen Allyson on the Disney channel and Nickelodeon Halo Awards. Emily was so inspired by Allyson and what she created, that she chose Threads for Teens as the benefactor of her bat mitzvah gifts. During her bat mitzah, Emily had to give a speech explaining Threads for Teens and why she chose it to be the benefactor of her bat mitzvah- so this twelve year old had certainly done her homework! She had researched Threads for Teens, its mission, the 48 state tour, and found out when we would be in Denver. She decided to plan to meet Allyson in Denver and present the donation in person. This twelve year old is quite impressive! Emily, Michaela, Sarah and Brady were a pleasure to meet and a big help! Emily, Michaela and Brady helped set up the jewelry wall this morning. Which they did with ear to ear grins. And after a short wait, Allyson returned from her errands- only making the girls' smiles quadruple. They both were ecstatic to be meeting Allyson and were quite thrilled to know that their story and pictures would be put on social media.

Emily and Michaela hanging jewelry on our jewelry wall.

Emily and Michaela posing in the truck.

Emily, Allyson and Michaela.

Michaela, Allyson and Emily presenting Threads for Teens with a monetary donation.

Thank you Country Inn and Suites, Aurora. Thank you Denver CASA girls. Off to Salt Lake City, Utah. Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog post!

Sunday, June 9, 2013

Cheyenne, WY

Cheyenne, Wyoming
Saturday, June 9th

Arrived in Wyoming!

Our day began being greeted by the lovely executive director of CASA Cheyenne, Wyoming, Betsy. Betsy and the CASA organization were absolutely fabulous! They arranged for the truck and trailer to be parked in Cheyenne's Depot (downtown square). Which was absolutely adorable!

Threads for Teens at the Cheyenne Depot.

The Wrangler located at the Cheyenne Depot.

The Iron Horse, in honor of railroad workers. Located in the Cheyenne Depot.

Betsy, CASA volunteers and staff members then proceeded to prepare an array of delicious fruit, snack food, and deserts which they set up below a neighboring canopy. Shoppers, family members, friends, and advocates were invited to enjoy the refreshments before, during and after appointments. Some of our favorite snacks were the mini cheesecakes, high heel cupcakes, cake pops, and seven layer dip (not pictured).

Mini cheesecakes!!

Absolutely delicious!!

Homemade cake pops. YUM!

Cake pops and high heel cupcakes!

High heel cupcakes! Thanks Laura.

Through the course of the day 23 girls visited the mobile boutique. All of which were enthusiastic, gracious, and eager to shop! Today we unpacked the Black Halo dresses- which, next to Miss Me jeans, were an absolute favorite among the girls. The girls today were outgoing and friendly, which made for a lot of fun and good laughs during the appointments. Along with the fun, today's appointments were very fulfilling. Multiple girls spoke up and articulated to Allyson and Natalie how their shopping experience was far more than an act of receiving clothing. As described by one girl in particular, "so often the clothing they (foster kids) receive is either hand me downs or from thrift stores, which really takes a toll on their self esteem." Already these children are seen as different by their peers and even teachers because they are foster kids, so the fact that most times they cannot keep up with designer labels or trends, as their peers do, further isolates them and makes them feel lesser. She proceeded to explain that, "though important, many times no one ever thinks about providing them with adequate clothing." It was extremely apparent through her words and demeanor that this shopping experience provided her with a new found confidence and self esteem. She certainly exemplified why we do what we do. Absolutely wonderful!

One of our shoppers modeling a Black Halo dress.

Our shopper loved this Black Halo dress so much she chose it as one of her items.

One of our shoppers modeling a Black Halo dress.

One of our shoppers modelling a Black Halo dress.

One of our shoppers modelling the Black Halo dress that she chose as one of her items!

One of our shoppers rockin' her new Miss Me jeans.

One of our shoppers modelling her new sparkly polka dot tank and Miss Me jeans.

During the middle of the day, Kyle from one of Cheyenne's news stations came out and interviewed Allyson and Natalie for a story about the tour.

Kyle interviewing Natalie.

Kyle interviewing Allyson.

And just when we thought our day couldn't get any better, CASA members Betsy, Carol and Kevin presented Allyson with a CASA bracelet and signed appreciation frame and then took us out to dinner! CASA had arranged for girls to sign a thank you note to Allyson following their shopping appointments, what the girls had to say was heartfelt and gracious. What a great idea CASA! We had a great time at Shadow's Pub and Grill located on the Cheyenne Depot. Great food. Great company. Great conversation. All in all a wonderful day. Thank you Cheyenne!!

Betsy, Allyson, Auntie Abbie, Carol, and Natalie.

The most delicious sweet potato fries and honey cinnamon butter. YUM.

Allyson and Natalie in the Cheyenne Depot.

Allyson and Natalie posing with Cheyenne's statue that honors women's role of settling the West. Not to mention Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote, and elected the first female governor- GO WYOMING! Supporting female empowerment before it was cool.

And now we are off to Denver, Colorado!

A beautiful drive.

Stay tuned for tomorrow's blog post re: our day in Denver, Colorado.

Billings, MT

Billings, Montana
Saturday, June 8th

Our drive to Billings was anything but boring. During our 13.5 hour drive we experienced an extreme lightning storm. The rain was so severe that it forced us to pull over until the rain died down. Though frightening, the lightning was quite beautiful.

Lightning storm in Montana.

After a long and tiresome drive we arrived in Billings, Montana at 5:30 in the morning! Luckily, shopping appointments didn't begin until noon. So we were able to get some much needed sleep before the girls arrived. When the girls did arrive they came excited and ready to shop. All of our shoppers were taken back at the selection they had to choose from. The social workers that brought the girls were just as delighted by the mobile boutique and experience all together. All in all a good day in Montana! And yes the sky really is bigger here.

Girls shopping in Billings Montana.

The sky really is bigger here.

And we're off! Stay tuned for an update re: our stop in Cheyenne, Wyoming.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Sioux Falls, SD

Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Friday, June 7th

We had a very exciting day in Sioux Falls, South Dakota! Our day began at 5 am this morning as we woke to prepare for a jam packed schedule. As we were getting ready we turned on the television to KSFY (ABC) and what did we see? News reporter Rachel in front of our trailer filming a teaser for her scheduled 6 am interview with Allyson. Rachel had certainly done her homework! We were impressed. And, according to KSFY Threads for Teens in Sioux Falls was the top story of the morning!

Threads for Teens on Tour being featured on KSFY.

At about 5:30 am, we walked to the truck to set up and were happily greeted by Sioux Falls' news reporters Kellee, from KELO-CBS and Rachel from KSFY-ABC, and Sioux Falls CASA director, Amy Benda. KELO and KSFY filmed us as we set up the boutique. Meanwhile, Amy Benda was interviewed so that the audience may better understand the CASA perspective. Once the boutique was ready, Kelly and Rachel interviewed Allyson at 6 am for their live broadcasts. Both interviews went very well and can be seen/ read about online!

Allyson being interviewed by KSFY's news reporter Rachel.

Read more about the story here, http://www.ksfy.com/story/22536724/threads-for-teens

Allyson being interviewed by KELO's news reporter, Kellee.

See the interview online at, http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/california-teen-helps-foster-girls-across-usa/?id=149126

KELO's news reporter Kelee. Happy birthday Kelee!

Allyson's interviews wrapped up at around 7 am, just in time for all of us to head up to the room for a much needed nap. We returned to the truck at 10 am to host the first appointments. Amy, the Sioux Falls CASA director, met us at the boutique with coffee and breakfast food! She and her staff/ volunteers then proceeded to set up a picnic bench of snacks and water bottles for us and the clients! The hospitality we received was simply superb. They truly rolled out the red carpet for us.

Allyson being interviewed (left). Amy setting up the picnic table (right).

Between the news stations, clients and CASAs, there was such a big commotion at the Hilton Garden Inn, Sioux Falls that passerbys and those who had seen us on the news opted to stop on by to take a closer look at the mobile boutique and meet Allyson! In particular there was one group of young fans who came out to meet Allyson and see the mobile boutique in person.

Allyson mingling with young "fans" from Sioux Falls.

And of course, in between/ during the commotion of guests and press we conducted our scheduled shopping appointments. Throughout the day twenty girls visited the boutique. All of which were polite, respectful, well mannered, and oh so gracious. These young ladies were certainly the ones who remind us why we do what we do. Truly a pleasure. Highlights of the appointments included various girls loving their new outfits so much that they opted to wear them out.

One of our shoppers rocking her new Miss Me jeans!

One of our shoppers fell in love with one of our favorite Francesca's dresses.

One of our shoppers created a fun, chic outfit by pairing her new skirt with her cardigan.

As the day progressed KELO news station returned to do a second round of interviews with Allyson, Natalie and Amy Benda. Sioux Falls news station KDLT (NBC) also came out to interview Allyson for their mid day broadcast.

KELO interviewing Natalie re: the tour, her job on tour, her friendship with Allyson, etc.

KDLT interviewing Allyson for their mid day broadcast.

KELO doing a second interview with Allyson.

In between the chaos of appointments, press, and visitors- Amy Benda took a quiet moment to let Allyson know that her daughter, Angelina, had seen her on television, was a huge fan and quite jealous that her mother was meeting her. Amy shared this information with the hope that Allyson could possibly write her an inspirational note. However, rather than merely write a note Allyson suggested that Angelina come out to the mobile boutique so that she could meet her and share the Threads for Teens experience. So that was what happened! Amy brought Angelina out to the truck in the afternoon and boy did Angelina get the full Threads for Teens experience. Not only did she get to meet Allyson, she got to watch and help with shopping appointments. She was such a joy to have! We were all so happy she was able to join us for the day.

Angelina and Allyson.

Amy, Angelina, and Allyson.

There are not enough words to describe how kind, hospitable, welcoming, and gracious Amy Benda and her staff/ volunteers were. Truly a wonderful group of people being led by an outstanding woman. Sioux Falls will certainly be a tough act to follow. Thank you Sioux Falls! And thank you Amy Benda!