NIDD Child Development Center ON THE CATWALK

Watch out Gucci! Move over Versace! There is a new line of fashion designers! The children of the Home Integration Child Development Center and Home Integration Day Camp have combined efforts to put together the 2004 Home Integration Fashion Show.

Lisa Hicks, Program Supervisor of the Child Development Center and Rigo Garcia, Activity Coordinator of the Day Camp decided to join the two programs together on a day of fashion, music, and most of all fun! “We brought clothes from the OBIMR THRIFT STORE and from our own homes to give the children a wide selection of different styles of clothing” states Lisa. “It was quite interesting to see the combinations they would come up with”.

The children spent their morning dreaming up the many things they would become and what music they wanted to play during their moment of stardom. Finally the time came. At 9:30 am the fun started. The children of the development center were laughing and clapping with Rigo, who was leading the fun, but fell silent when “We Will Rock You” began blaring from the stereo speakers and the first model walked out. “First up”, Lisa announced, “is Tyler, who has magically transformed into a basketball player for the North Carolina Tar Heels”. He owned the catwalk as he proudly strutted down the row of colorful blocks and up on the stage made from what the kids normally call the “social bowl”. 

The Fashion Show consisted of Participators – the children walking the catwalk, Managers – the children helping put the show together, and Spectators – the children clapping and laughing at the different designs. “These kind of positive activities will even change their perceptions about themselves”, observes Virginia Reeves, Program Coordinator. 

This activity allowed the children to become comfortable around their peers and it gave them a chance to be someone else for a day; a real life experience to build up their self esteem. They were able to use their acting skills and many characters were born that day. There were cheerleaders, cowboys, babies, hippies, hunters and many girls ready to go out on the town. Like everyone else, these children were making decisions on whom and what they want to be when they grow up. 

The Fashion Show was such a tremendous success with the children that the Child Development Center has decided to make this an annual event each summer.