Even though ripped jeans are both for men and women to rock, dresses are taking over the spotlight in the feminine world. From a long maxi on a busy day of running errands to a glamorous lace worn on a dinner date. As summer approaches young women are hanging up the heat and stepping out to feel the breeze.  The most popular seller out of the fashion stores is the slip dress paired with almost anything – blazers, high heels, simple sandals, knee high or combat boots and even shirts! It might sound strange, but some women prefer not to show so much skin, and still look great by throwing the dress over a t-shirt recreating the iconic 90’s look. Although the dress might not be appropriate for all occasions…it’s prefect for a night out or a stroll downtown. It’s going to be the main attire this upcoming summer so heads up.

Even in Miami’s bipolar weather, I predict flared dresses to be the key item of fall. It might not feel like fall in South Florida, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t autumn, right?  This dress is a woman’s all-time favorite piece to wear to everywhere, from special events to low-key date nights, in complete comfort. Just like the “slip dress,” the flared style provides a looser fit, but with fewer accessories and tons of patterns and colors to choose from, a woman can always be picture perfect. The question is which piece of fabric is going to win this year? Will it be the diva slip? Or the fancy flared? But it doesn’t matter the switch up is endless.

Accessories are key for adding a “POP” to any ensemble. Big, bold, small and cute…Lose them, cherish them, break them and repair them. Some outfit will be useless without them and incomplete. Not advising you to go over the top, but a little bit of flare will catch some eyes. What will be the next big thing? No one knows; we’ll just have to wait and be surprised this year.

One of my biggest dreams is to one day start a fashion empire. Here at Casa Valentina, I’m working hard along with our Education Director to be able to pass all my classes, and transfer majors into a fashion program. It’s been an incredible journey to get to this place: from foster care to fashion…and I will continue to hustle for my dreams. I think that’s something a lot of people forget about youth in foster care: we’re just regular kids who have dreams and goals, and we might need a little help to get there, but our pasts don’t define us. We are smart, strong, and hopeful.

We must become the change we want to see in the world. – Mahatma Ghandi

At Casa Valentina, every day we strive to become a positive catalyst for change to help the amazing young people the become an important part of our live. Our mission, to provide at risk youth and youth transitioning from foster care to independent living with affordable housing and various support services, is more crucial now than ever. Check out these statistics:

More foster kids end up in institutions or group homes rather than pre-adoptive or foster homes.
Foster children are two times more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress than returning veterans
Foster children have a high risk of being hospitalized for serious psychiatric disorders and/or attempted suicide.
As you read these alarming facts, keep in mind that in 2013 alone, 23,000 young adults phased out of the foster care system, over 300 of them resided in Miami Dade County alone. Casa Valentina provides young adults transitioning out of foster care with valuable tools and resources that will help them navigate through society in a productive, healthy way. One of the main ways we do this is by enlisting successful leaders in the community to impart their knowledge and advice to the residents in the program. We would like to acknowledge Noa Pantaleon, of TRX Fitness, and Walter Russ, of First Step Mobile Health & Safety Services, for their contributions to our Life Skills Program.

Noa Pantaleon, Personal Trainer for TRX Fitness

Noa shared his knowledge on fitness and health with our female residents. Our girls got a first-hand work-out experience! His Life Skills course offered insight on the importance of good eating habits and physical activities. They were also taught workout sequences and practical ways to implement fitness into their daily lives.

Walter Russ, Director at First Step Mobile Health & Safety Services

Walter taught a Life Skills course on first aid and CPR. Our residents became CPR certified during his demonstration. His course was informative, hands-on and taught our residents how to perform CPR on adults, children and babies. They were also taught Good Samaritan laws and basic first aid guidelines. These new-found skills empowered and inspired our residents to take action when others are in need.

Casa Valentina would like to once again thank these inspiring figures, as well as the other community leaders, that have provided our residents with skills that will prove essential to their growth and development into adulthood and independent living. Every day, we continue to do our best to create an environment that encourages our youth to reach for their full potential and be a testament to the power of change.

*Statistics from the fosterclub.com