Why Giving Back Matters to Me

When I attended my first high school, community service was a graduation requirement. Like many students, I wasn’t thrilled about doing it, even though it was only 40 hours over four years.

But everything changed the summer before I transferred schools going into my junior year. I had an epiphany: I wanted to be a better person. I was tired of failing myself.

At my new high school, community service wasn’t mandatory, but I chose to get involved. I joined a number of after-school programs and ended up volunteering so much that I received an NAACP award for community service. That period in my life taught me the importance of giving with purpose.

These days, I’m not as active as I once was, but I still look for meaningful ways to contribute. That’s why a portion of every purchase from my brand goes to PCCC Arts, an after-school program serving youth in the Pilsen community of Chicago. They offer a range of art education programs that give young people the space to learn, express themselves, and build community.

When you purchase one of our exclusive, novelty swimsuit pieces, you’re not just supporting a small, Black/Latina woman-owned business, you’re also helping in investing in the creative future of our youth.

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Why PCCC Arts?

A Personal Connection:

Back in 2017, I decided I wanted to learn how to dance salsa. But by the fall of 2021, I felt stuck in my growth. That’s when a friend told me about a talented instructor named Kat from Florida, who taught On2 salsa. At the time, my 17-year-old sister was living with me after Hurricane Ida displaced her. I couldn’t afford lessons for both of us, so I reached out to Kat to ask if there was a discount program for kids. She told me about her nonprofit, PCCC Arts.

That moment was a no-brainer. The program gave my sister the chance to try something completely new and creative, while also giving us something meaningful to do together.

I’m proud to support PCCC Arts, and I hope you’re just as excited knowing that your purchase helps give kids a safe space to learn, grow, and create.

Together, we’re investing in our community and our future.