Project Prevention to combat child abuse

Forget your Prada.  Pack away your Armani. Come “Yolo County Style” and enjoy an evening with fashion designer and Project Runway contestant Timothy Westbrook as he brings his high energy and creative artistry to the Yolo County Children’s Alliance Project Prevention 5th Annual Fashion Show Thursday, April 3, 2014 at 6 p.m. in the West Sacramento City Hall Galleria.  Local youth leaders and foster teens will model featured designs from Westbrook’s three previous collections. Proceeds will support the Yolo County Children’s Alliance and Child Abuse Prevention Council. 

 Westbrook, who hails from Wanakena, New York, was a contestant on Lifetime Network’s hit show Project Runway during season 12 which aired the second half of 2013. He first gained national attention by speaking at the GreenBiz conference in New York City.  Westbrook identifies himself as a sustainability-driven fiber artist, meaning he builds his artwork out of materials rejected by society. Using fairytales as an environmentalist metaphor he attempts to approach his fashions with playfulness and loose sensibility.

Reflecting on the fact that many children don’t have the benefit of being raised in nurturing homes, Westbrook considers himself very lucky stating he grew up in an “incredibly nurturing home devoid of the typical ‘angsty teenager’ phase.’”

 Speaking to why he wanted to be part of preventing child abuse in Yolo County, Westbrook said, “I have always been aware that not everyone has the upbringing my parents provided.  If my heart, arms and talents/skills/gifts can be shared to help someone who doesn’t have a strong support system, then that is what I am meant to do.”

 His concerns extend to older youth and adults as well.  “Fashion is really just a life-size game of dress up.  It is an accessible escape to becoming a different person, a fantasy, or the best version of you. Fashion is our personal armor and our strength.” 

 He added, “I believe in the power of clothing as it is able to give us such a strong sense of self. 

 Noting that April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, Yolo County Supervisor and Chair of the Yolo County Children’s Alliance Don Saylor said, “Each year the Yolo County Department of Employment and Social Services receives more than 1,000 reports of suspected child abuse and/or neglect.  It is vital for us to create and fund programs that help parents and protect children; and that is what raising money for child abuse prevention is all about.”

 Katie Villegas, Yolo County Children’s Alliance Executive Director said, “Timothy has generously offered to bring some of his amazing fashion designs to our event.  It will be an exciting evening that showcases a nationally recognized designer, local youth models, and increases awareness and support for preventing child abuse in Yolo County.”

 Villegas also emphasized the need for a large turnout.  “We hope at least 200 people will come to enjoy sophisticated fashion, tasty food, and hosted wine for those over 21, while raising vital dollars to combat child abuse and neglect in our communities.  We need to raise at least $30,000 to ensure our programs will continue at their current levels.” 

 The imaginative Westbrook has been designing clothes since he was nine years old.  In high school in Canton, Ohio he interned at the St. Lawrence University Costume Shop and costumed the middle school and high school musicals.  At Syracuse University, Westbrook studied Fiber Arts and Material Studies in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

 During 2012-2013 Westbrook was the Artists-In-Residence at the Pfister Hotel in Milwaukie, Wisconsin. 

 Joining Westbrook and modeling some of the fashions on display will be his stylist partner, Alexis Rose of Alexis Rose Style, a child abuse survivor.  As a survivor of child abuse and witness of domestic abuse, Rose’s focus has always been to utilize her survival and testimonies in ways that inspire, uplift, and infuse faith into others. 

 Sharing why she is excited to raise money for child abuse prevention, Rose said, “It’s important to me because I've lived it and I've survived it against all odds--and, so have others. So many others.”

Emcee for the event will be Scott Moak, Sacramento Kings vice president of community impact and executive director of the Sacramento Kings Foundation.  Kings fans will recognize Moak’s voice as the public address announcer for the Kings.

To reserve tickets, become a sponsor, or to make a donation -- go online at www.yolokids.org/events; stop by the Yolo County Children’s Alliance 600 A Street, Suite Y, in Davis; or call 530-757-5558.

Chris Jarosz, West Sacramento Chamber's 2014 Volunteer of the Year, and the staff at West Sacramento's Broderick Roadhouse will satisfy appetites with original New American bites. Dessert will include the always-popular chocolate fountain with fresh fruits; and Clarksburg favorite, Carvalho Family Winery, will pour its most popular varietals.

 Lead sponsor for the event is the Rotary Club of Davis. Other major sponsors include Sutter Davis Hospital, Kaiser Permanente, Hallmark Inn of Davis, and California Fuel Cell Partnership. 

                                             ###

 The Yolo County Children’s Alliance and Child Abuse Prevention Council is a non-profit organization committed to improving the health and well-being of Yolo County children, youth and their families. The 45-member alliance represents Yolo County agencies, community-based organizations, parents and individuals, who are all energetic advocates for children and youth.