Surrey Schools fashion students recognized at city hall

Current and former Surrey students in the district’s Wraparound (WRAP) program were recognized by former mayor Brenda Locke after creating their own designer apparel last school year. In a partnership with Solid State Community Industries, the students joined a fashion cohort focused on sustainable, locally produced limited-edition clothing. They developed brands and designs while learning about the industry and themselves. After the program ended, each student received a certificate of recognition from Locke in the mail. Michael Sosnowsky, a WRAP family co-ordinator with the district’s Safe Schools department, said the certificates came without the team asking for them. He had them framed, gathered the students for a thank-you photo and sent it to Locke. A few weeks later, they were invited to meet the then-mayor at city hall.

Sosnowsky said Locke spent 45 minutes with the students. They spoke unprompted about how difficult it can be for young people to find work and how few opportunities there are to gain hands-on experience in a field they care about. He said everyone had something to contribute, listened attentively and smiled throughout the meeting. Locke told the students they could list their certificates on their résumés as a character reference and that city hall would back that up. She also expressed interest in inviting them back to share their perspectives as part of a youth council.

Sosnowsky said the invitation mattered as much as the recognition. Two of the young men have graduated, and he sees the opportunity as a way for them to picture themselves as community leaders. He said they might have input on where a future park or playground goes, or which youth groups could reach young people. He wants them to see that what they did was not for nothing and that their voices matter. He added that an experience like this can shape what comes next for many students, and that any advantage is meaningful.

Sosnowsky and the program’s two facilitators, Pam Gutierrez and Jshandeep Jassal, hope to start a girls’ cohort next spring. It would follow the same model, pairing practical skills such as nail art, lash application and perfume blending with lessons on sustainability and safely setting up a small business. Like the first cohort, it would end with an exhibition for families and school staff. The team is looking for a funding partner. Gutierrez said that when people believe in someone, support them and give them room to grow, they can go far. Jassal said the cohort shows what can happen when young people who are often stereotyped or underestimated get a chance to find an alternative path and claim their power.