November 16, 2013 - 8:00pm
Two festive fashion shows on Friday, Nov. 29 will feature the ‘upcycled’, carefully curated and gently used women’s wear found at Nanaimo’s Repeats Consignment shop, and will raise funds for Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Tuition Waiver for Youth in Care program.
Margaret Spencer says she rejoiced at VIU’s late August announcement that established it as the first university in BC to waive tuition fees for youth aging out of the province’s care system.
“Hallelujah that VIU decided to offer this program to kids in care!” says Spencer. “This is one of the most destitute groups in society -- at 18 years old the rug is hauled out from under them and they get nothing.”
Spencer heard the announcement and knew from her own family’s experience that the costs associated with sending children to university include far more than tuition.
That’s why she’s inviting the community to two Fashion Shows on Nov. 29 – a 1 pm show that includes lunch, and a 7:30 pm show that includes coffee and dessert. Tickets are $15 each and are available at her shop at 295 Wallace St. The shows, both held at St. Andrews Union Church downtown, will include entertainment by a harpist and door prizes. Thrifty Foods will be matching the first $1,000 raised for VIU’s Tuition Waiver for Youth in Care program.
Spencer’s clientele are primarily women in their mid-40’s and older, many of whom have shared the experience – and cost – of sending children to university. She has engaged many of her clients in conversation on VIU’s new tuition waiver program for youth in care, and says she’s had a very supportive response.
“As mothers and women, many of us have been through sending children off to university,” she says. “We know how much it costs and how much they need, so maybe we can give a little bit more.”
Spencer has operated Repeats since July 2012, and has created some of her own unique fashions by ‘upcycling’ some of the clothing that customers consign to the store. Her own creations will be on display in the fashion shows, along with both casual and evening attire.
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To learn more about VIU’s Tuition Waiver for Youth in Care program see http://www.viu.ca/news/page.asp?ID=2497
MEDIA CONTACT:
Shari Bishop Bowes, Communications Officer, Vancouver Island University
P:250.740.6443 C: 250.618.1535 E: Communications@viu.ca T: @viunews
Tags: In the Community
