I am an edgy designer with a flair for engaging people. I have a passion for helping others and using design to facilitate that. In my project, I used the edge from my alternative subculture to bring help to the LGBTQIA+ foster youth community. Through experience in graphic design, branding, fashion, and gaining contributions, I combined my skills to design an event to raise funds for these children that I feel deeply toward. These kids are at risk of not finishing their education, they struggle with mental health challenges, they are vulnerable to drug abuse, and sex trafficking. They are a community that need support. They need a sense of belonging, and my event is a starting point towards building a sustainable, financial revenue to build programming for these children.
My capstone project, Drag for Foster Survival creates a space for queer artists to perform while supporting and raising funds to support these children through the Center on Halsted, an organization that not only helps foster kids but also provides resources to the LGBTQIA+ community in Chicago. The hope is that this event becomes the first of many. This could be a scalable model that can continue to bring monetary support to our much-needed foster youth.
