First impressions can make a big difference. During this practical life skills workshop, teens in our program were given a variety of tools to make strong first impressions. We began unlocking those tools by acknowledging that everyone makes judgements, intentionally or not, based on appearance and perception.

Amy Wister, founder and CEO of The Stylist Online led Matches (youth and their mentors) through several exercises to consider how posture, confidence, environment and clothing can aid or hinder first impressions. She used the word “canvas” to describe how we present ourselves. Amy stressed that it’s not about labels or expensive clothing, but about truly feeling good in what one wears. She also discussed how to find affordable, staple clothing for job interviews and other special occasions.

The event was held at the Dress 2 Success Clothing Boutique. After Amy’s presentation, Nordstrom Men’s Stylist and D2S President Justin Studebaker measured the teens and helped them identify their proper sizes. He then led the group upstairs to the boutique for a free shopping spree.

At first, the teens appeared uncomfortable looking through the professional clothing. With some tunes playing in the background and Justin and Amy diligently seeking out articles for each youth, the energy quickly changed.

The mentors also encouraged their youth to expand their ideas of style. One mentor even gave his mentee a lesson in tying a tie. There were also laughs about items that would never be worn but it didn’t take long until every mentor was holding items that their youth wanted.

The workshop ended with each youth taking home articles that fit well and that they felt great wearing. One mentee couldn’t wait and left wearing one of the new outfits he found that day. Thanks to a recent online donation, Aging UP provided each mentor with a gift card to take their youth shopping for remaining items needed during a future one-to-one outing.

We’re extremely grateful to Amy, Justin and the D2S team for their efforts to make this hands-on workshop a success. We’re also grateful to everyone who donated to our Professional Clothing Drive and to Justin’s clients and others who have donated to the D2S Clothing Boutique. The free shopping experience could not have been possible without so much support.

You can donate new or gently-used shirts, pants, dresses, jackets, jeans, shoes, accessories and more on Thursday, September 27 at Uptown Studios from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Modern styles are requested and all sizes are welcomed. We will also collect cash, check or credit card donations to provide clothing store gift cards for teens in our program. Hangers and shopping bags can also be donated.

This is more than a drop-off-and-go event. Supporters can stay to enjoy delicious wine, from 90 Plus Wine Club of Napa, light appetizers, and yummy cookies from Kelli’s Cookies – For Goodness Bakes.

This clothing drive is on behalf of our friends at Dress 2 Success, who will be leading a professional presentation UPshop (living skills workshop) for Aging UP youth in October.

D2S has a newly designed clothing boutique, located within the St. Vincent de Paul in Roseville. Your donations will add to the quality shopping experience they offer teens from foster care.

Directly after Aging UP’s workshop, the teens in our program will gain fashionable clothing and professional attire during their unique shopping experience, complete with stylist experts, at the D2S Clothing Boutique.

We’re grateful to Uptown Studios for generously providing a space to hold our clothing drive. All of the items received from our drive will be donated to the D2S Clothing Boutique. The teens in our program, as well as many other youth from foster care, will benefit from your generosity.

The event was presented by Dress 2 Success, a program that began four years ago by Justin Studebaker, who volunteered his time to teach youth in Koinonia about style. It has since grown to include many volunteers and recently became a program within Ticket to Dream Foundation. As Justin’s brother is a comedian, he began envisioning a collaborative event that could expand his program’s style workshops and shopping sprees while also supporting other nonprofits serving youth in foster care. Aging UP was honored to be welcomed as a benefiting partner.

It was amazing to see all the work and planning seamlessly come together on May 1. Though focused on offering guests funny entertainment, there was a message throughout the evening. It began with Miles Cooley, an entertainment lawyer from Los Angeles, who entered the Sacramento foster care system at the age of five, when he found his mother after she overdosed. He briefly described his experience and, how as a fashion savvy youth, he had several adults contribute to his well-being and to his desire to dress well. This kindness gave him the confidence and motivation to succeed.

Following Miles were stand-up comedians Luke Lacoy and Uncle Charlie Adams (aka Notorious O.L.D.). Then headliner David Studebaker, an actor and comedian (whom you may recognize from one of our YouTube videos). David brought big laughs. He also brought several people on stage, including a hilarious bit with our board member Ian Johnson as well as Sleep Train Founder Dale Carlson.

Dale sold Sleep Train to Mattress Firm in 2014, but he remains as the CEO and Chairman of the Board of the Ticket to Dream Foundation, which provides hope and opportunity for children in foster care. Our board member Anthony was among one of the youth who benefited from the foundation. When he was in foster care, Anthony attended sporting events and received Christmas gifts through the foundation. It was a special moment when he was able to shake Dale’s hand and thank him in-person for those gifts and memories.

Truly that was what the evening was about – providing memorable and confidence-building experiences for youth in foster care. It ended with a unique auction, where instead of bidding on items to take home, guests bid to provide unique experiences for youth in foster care.

The auction raised approximately $10,000! These funds will be divided among the participating nonprofits so they can extend those memorable experiences to the youth we collectively serve. Sponsors also came forward to support the organizations. We couldn’t be more grateful to our friend Kevin Hughey of Hughey Law Group for generously being a Feature Sponsor.

We are honored to have been among the benefiting organizations and are beyond grateful to all the event sponsors, attendees and volunteers who made the sold-out event a complete success! Thank you.

Cover image from left to right: Board Member Anthony, Admin Volunteer Andrea, Co-founder Kecia, Headline Comedian David Studebaker, Board Member Ian, Co-founder April, and Board Member Tori