TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – A fashion show with a purpose: HEARTS, a nonprofit that helps empower youth to reject suicide, hosted its first-ever Speak Up! Speak out! Fashion show.
The show featured young models who’ve overcome mental health challenges.
“I mean, everybody goes through mental health issues, some bigger, some smaller, different varieties, and so just being in this and knowing that we can make an impact on other teenagers’ lives was just impactful for me,” 14-year-old model Simone Holloway said.
Although the event was a fundraiser, it was also an opportunity to have important conversations..
Founder Alicia Walker says it means the world to see the outpouring of support for a cause that is so personal for her.
“I lost my brother to suicide in 2010, so I want to make sure that we honor him, but that we make sure that these young people keep going, they keep fighting,” Walker said.
Walker hopes to see this become an annual event.
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