Barrington High School 2014 graduate and co-founder of the Hope’s in Style Guatemala outreach initiative, Courtney Quigley has launched a new video blog from her college dorm room highlighting the mission behind next weekend’s third annual Hope’s in Style fashion show. Courtney recently introduced Episode 1, with Episode 2 sure to include images from the organization’s BHS student-produced fashion show fundraiser coming up at the Stonegate Banquet & Conference Center on Sunday, March 8th.
In her first video blog episode, Courtney talks about how a young girl named Monica inspired her to step up and find a way to help those forced to scavenge for trash in Guatemala City’s garbage dump to clothe, feed and shelter their families.
Now a freshman at New York University, Courtney founded Hope’s in Style with her twin sister, Ashley, a freshman at Santa Clara University. Together, they motivated scores of Barrington High School students to produce the first fashion show fundraiser in February of 2013, with proceeds going to build Monica’s family a new home through Potter’s House Association.
The Quigley twins’ Hopes in Style initiative started a movement at Barrington High School that continues to gain momentum, long after the girls’ graduation.
Thanks to their annual fashion show, Hope’s in Style has raised funds and rallied volunteers to travel with the group to Guatemala and build a total of five homes for families in the garbage dump community. So many people have signed up to help build these homes, this August the Quigley sisters will lead teams in not one, but TWO service trips to Guatemala.
The Quigleys are also behind the local Merry Meals project in partnership with Barrington High School’s Interact Club, with volunteers packing meals to be sent to hungry kids around the world. They’ve also inspired a new Hope’s in Stride program, run my BHS student Matt Coy who is collecting shoes to give to the Guatemalan children who benefit from Hope’s in Style’s outreach.
So, without further delay, we’re excited to share Episode 1 from Hope’s in Style’s new video blog narrated by Courtney Quigley herself with a special segment filmed in Guatemala.
If you’d like to support the cause, you can CLICK HERE to contribute at various levels or buy a ticket to next weekend’s fashion show where student models will showcase the work of student designers. Tickets cost $35 for adults and $25 for students. Hors D’oeuvres and dessert are included along with a cash bar and raffles.
“This year we would like to invite you to act compassionately once again as we try to bring hope, through houses, to other deserving families of the Guatemala City garbage dump communities,” Courtney says. “Hope’s in Style’s team of stylists, volunteers, leaders, and models are committed to empowering these families through giving them a dignified place to call home! A new house will give families a door that locks, running water, and four sturdy walls for their children to feel safe within. But to do this, we need you! By attending our event you donate towards our cause and declare that you too believe in hope!”
The third annual Hope’s in Style fashion show will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at The Stonegate Banquet & Conference Center, 2401 West Higgins Road in Hoffman Estates. For more information, visit HopesInStyle.com. And, for a look at last year’s fashion show, take a look at our video produced by reporter James Owen of 365Barrington TV.
