Academic Magnet senior to help homeless teens

10 Storehouse Row on the Old Navy base will come alive Saturday with fashion for a good cause.

Amanda Stripling, 17, a senior at Academic Magnet in North Charleston will host "AWEAR: A Fashion Show Raising AWEARness for Homeless Teens in the Lowcountry."

The event will begin at 7 p.m.

All proceeds from the AWEAR show will go toward clothing for youth staying at the Carolina Youth Development Center in North Charleston.

Emphasis will be placed on purchasing clothes for teen girls, said Stripling a West Ashley resident. The CYDC provides emergency shelter, day treatment and residence for hundreds Lowcountry youth.

The fashion show concept grew out of Stripling's senior thesis project at Academic Magnet. Magnet students are required to complete a year-long research project as a part of their graduation requirements.

"I wanted to pick something close to my heart," she said.

Stripling chose teens and homelessness after learning about the numbers of homeless teens living in the Lowcountry.

In addition to submitting a 25-page research paper, she wanted to do something to help homeless teens in the Charleston-area and was led to CYDC.

With the help of staff members at the orphanage, she compiled information regarding the issues facing CYDC residents. She learned that the lack of decent clothes was a major problem for many.

Ever the lover of fashion, Stripling went to work over the summer coordinating the benefit fashion show to raise money that will used to purchase brand new clothes for as many CYDC residents as possible.

Stripling has worked with several local companies that have provided various services to make the event possible.

Several local stores are providing clothes including, iheart, Wink, Copper Penny and LulaKate.

CYDC Director of Development Kate Lloyd has worked for months to help Stripling develop her senior thesis project.

She hopes the event will inspire the young people who will benefit from the proceeds to one day help others in need.

"She's really making a difference," Lloyd said. "She has just done an amazing job in coming up with a project to help."

Stripling's mother, Debbie Stripling, also applauds her daughter's efforts.

"She's been working really, really hard and it's been so impressive watch this grow into this great project," Debbie said.

Karen Thrower, former director of the Noisette Urban Alliance for the Noisette Co., now forming a special events company, guided Stripling through the process of producing the fashion show.

Thrower is impressed with Stripling's persistence in developing the benefit program and her desire to make a difference in the lives of her peers who are less fortunate.

"For another young person to see the plight of someone else their own age, and to remove themselves from their privileged life and see someone else's hurt and pain, shows great character," she said.

Reach Jasiri Whipper at 937-5540 or jwhipper@postandcourier.com.