Barrington Teens Fundraise for Homeless Family in Guatemala

“Hope’s In Style” Fashion Show on February 24;Proceeds Build Home for Family Living in City Garbage Dump

            Fashion and compassion will work hand-in-hand on February 24, 1- 4 p.m., when Barrington High School students present a charity fashion show called “Hope’s In Style” at the Garlands Center for The Performing Arts, 1000 Garlands Lane, Barrington, Ill.  All proceeds from the event will go to Potter’s House Association to build a house for 8-year-old Monica Morales and her seven family members who are currently living in squalor conditions at the Guatemala City garbage dump in Guatemala.

            The idea for this event was born when Barrington High School junior Courtney Quigley, interned for a month in Guatemala with Potter’s House, an organization that helps more than 11,000 people currently living in garbage dump communities in Guatemala.  During her work there this past summer, Ms. Quigley was captivated by Monica, whose resilient personality astonished the teen.  Monica and her family live in a 9x10 tin shack in the dump.  The conditions are such that children and parents are woken up nightly by large rats that try to bite them as they sleep.  Especially for newborn babies, such as Monica’s niece who lives with her, these rat bites can be deadly.

“The conditions that Monica and her family live under are unimaginable in our community, yet prevalent in theirs,” said Ms. Quigley.  “Hope’s In Style is an amazing event for our community to get involved with, because this fashion show can dramatically change the lives of an entire family.“  Last summer, Ms. Quigley began coordination with Potter’s House to have the Morales family approved as a candidate for a new house.  Last Fall, the project was approved.

            With the help of her sisters, Ashley and Chloe, Ms. Quigley  has enlisted 17 BHS students who are working as off-site “stylists” to design outfits for children and adults who live along side the Morales family in Guatemala.  At the February 24 fashion show, volunteer models will showcase the stylist’s designs, incorporating clothing from local boutiques as well as original pieces created by the student stylists.  The audience will vote on the best stylist-model team.

            Tickets for the event are $35; $20 for students and can be purchased through the mail.  Please make check payable to “Hopes In Style,” and send to 220 Weatherstone Road, Barrington, Ill., 60010.  Donations and sponsorships are greatly accepted and are tax deductible.  All donation checks should be made payable to Potter’s House and can be sent to the same address.

            For more information or to get involved, please email hopesinstyle@yahoo.com.  Find Hope’s in Style on Facebook.  Follow @Hopes In Style on Twitter.  For more information on Potter’s House, go to www.pottershouse.org.gt.