Fashion Forward Kinspire™
An immersive arts and fashion program connecting youth in kinship care and foster care with industry professionals, mentorship and real creative experiences, culminating in New York Fashion Week capstone experience.
About Fashion Forward Kinspire
Fashion Forward Kinspire™: Bridging Kinship, Foster Care and the Runway™ is an arts-based youth development program that connects young people in kinship care and foster care with the creativity, boldness, and community of the fashion world.
Participants gain access to industry professionals, creative mentorship, cultural experiences, and real-world skills — all within a trauma-informed space designed for healing and self-expression.
The program is a collaborative initiative between our team at A Second Chance, Inc. and Think of Us, a nonprofit committed to transforming child welfare by prioritizing kinship care and uplifting the voices of those with lived experience in foster care.
Trauma-Informed Design
Fashion Forward Kinspire goes beyond skill-building. It creates space for participants to process their experiences, celebrate their identities, and discover their creative potential, all while developing real networks and professional skills that open lasting pathways to future careers.
2026 Fashion Forward Kinspire Program Schedule
The Journey From Application to New York Fashion Week
| April 2026 Applications Open Young creatives in kinship care and foster care can apply to join the 2026 cohort. | May 2026 Participant Selection Selection takes place in recognition of National Foster Care Month. |
| June 2026 Program Launch Learning sessions begin, covering personal branding, fashion styling and content creation. | August 2026 Kinspire × NYFW Weekend Behind-the-scenes access to New York Fashion Week, from production to the runway. |
2025 Fashion Forward Kinspire Program Highlights
- ● 15 Young people participated: From cities across the country, representing diverse backgrounds and experiences in kinship and foster care.
- ● 7 Cities represented: Including New York City, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Seattle.
- ● 8 Learning sessions delivered: Covering personal branding, fashion styling, content creation and participation in the production of The Voices Rising podcast, who documented the journey. The Voices Rising podcast.
- ● 7 Partners, sponsors and organizations: From child welfare and beyond, coming together in support of kinship care youth.
- ● 4 Cultural institutions visited: Curated enrichment excursions designed to foster self-expression, cultural appreciation and build confidence.
Capstone New York Fashion Week Experience
New York Fashion Week, August 2026
The Fashion Forward Kinspire program culminates with an unforgettable inside look at NYFW, from planning and production to event promotion and the runway. Participants gain access to emerging designers from marginalized communities and cultural partners across the industry. This is not just a field trip. It is a transformation.
“The gateway to a young person’s heart is the ability to tap into their creative genius, allowing their brilliance to shine and guiding them toward curating a space that is uniquely their own. Kinspire offers that space.
Dr. Sharon McDaniel
President & CEO, A Second Chance, Inc.
“Being part of Kinspire means so much to me because I know what it feels like to dream without access or the bravery to ask for it. This program gives young people the tools, language, and space to show up fully and not just in fashion, but in life. I’m honored to pour into them creatively and personally, and to witness their brilliance unfold.”
Carolyn Gray
Principal Consultant, New York
What People Are Saying About Fashion Forward Kinspire
“I feel like this program has helped me get a better understanding of the fashion industry and how to carry myself in a professional workplace.”
Serenity, Kinspire participant
“It [Kinspire] is making me more confident in many things about myself and the future.”
Cienna, Kinspire participant
“I would strongly suggest [Kinspire] and I already have. This program is definitely a stepping stone into the fashion community.”
James, Kinspire participant
“It’s not enough to focus only on safety and placement, we have to create experiences that support both development and healing. Too often, programs stop at skill-building. But this is different. It’s not just about fashion, it’s about reclaiming voice, building identity and developing agency.”
Sixto Cancel, CEO of Think of Us
Fashion Forward Kinspire Applications Open April 20, 2026
Your Creative Journey Starts Here
Youth in kinship care and foster care are invited to apply for the 2026 Fashion Forward Kinspire cohort. Participant selection takes place in May in recognition of National Foster Care Month.
