Youth Center fashion show

Emily Negron models her unique, recycled dress at a youth fashion show at Encino Gardens, an independent living apartment complex near Kirtland. Emily was one of about a dozen kids from Kirtland’s Youth Center who dropped by to show their styles and brighten the seniors’ day. (Photo by Todd Berenger)

Youth Center kids make special visit

Published March 16, 2015
By Lee Ross
Nucleus editor

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- There was no argument about the bold colors of the plastic dresses the children from Kirtland's Youth Center trotted out their March 4 fashion show at Encino Gardens, an independent living apartment complex near Kirtland.

The Youth Center's Camile Ozores, who served as master of ceremonies for the event, said the visit is part of the center's outreach efforts.

"The kids love to share their outfits," she said. "We have plans to keep this up. When the children come and talk to the residents here, it brings a little bit of joy into their lives."

One of the residents, Betty Ambrose, said she would welcome another visit.

"We'd like to have more of this sort of thing," she said. "We get about two to three visits (like the fashion show) a year."

It's good for the kids at the Youth Center to meet people in the community, according to Jean Sucher, who organized the event.

"It's important for children to interact with people of all ages," she said. "And this is a safe way for them to interact with the community."