Sold-out fashion show, performance supports marginalized Edmonton youth

A Y2K-esque fundraiser supporting young Edmontonians saw a sold out crowd at the Winspear Centre this afternoon.

The third-annual “Canvas of Hope” showcased live music and performances by kids, teens and young adults in the iHuman Youth Society Program, a community space for marginalized youth to develop their creative interests.

Each written piece represented personal stories and experiences.

The event also included an upcycled denim fashion show featuring community models -including Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack - flaunting familiar fashions from the early aughts as well as handmade wearable art.

The 30-year-old non-profit works to provide Edmontonians aged 12-24 with mental health support, mentorship, arts and career resources, among other supports. It’s best known for mentoring through arts programs, says executive director Beryl Bacchus.

“(We have a) visual arts studio, we have a theatre, we have a music studio, we have a fashion design studio,” she said Wednesday.

Bacchus says iHuman saw more than 24,000 visits last year and works with a $1.7-million operating budget each year.

She now hopes Edmonton city council will make more moves to extend day space hours at the organization’s shelter in the coming years.

“Over the winter months, we saw what the need was. By being able to extend our hours, we were able to support those marginalized, unhoused youth … get them diverted into other projects, get them to services they might not have otherwise had,” she said.

Wednesday’s event, she added, has doubled in attendance since its beginning. Most of the money raised will go directly to helping the kids.

“Our sponsors are very generous, so we’re able to keep our costs low so we can divert as many of those funds as possible into programming.”

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Sean McClune