20-Year-Old Fashion Philanthropist Brings Girl Power on Wheels to Underprivileged Teens

    SANTA ROSA, CA, July 31, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- 20 year-old social entrepreneur and fashion philanthropist Allyson Ahlstrom of Santa Rosa, California is launching her third national tour with Threads for Teens (www.threadsforteens.org), the non-profit organization that she founded at the age of 14. Threads for Teens on Tour will hit six cities across the country in just eight days this summer: Los Angeles (August 8), Las Vegas (August 9), Phoenix (August 10), El Paso (August 11), Nashville (August 14), and New York City (August 16). At each stop, Threads for Teens will outfit 75-100 underprivileged girls with a free brand-new outfit from a bright pink 40-foot trailer up as a chic mobile boutique. New to the tour this year is a full day of learning, networking, and empowerment for girls in foster care or situations of poverty.

In addition to being outfitted from the mobile boutique, the agenda includes lunch, a goal-setting panel, Women in the Media interactive workshop, and a presentation on dressing for success. Participants will also be treated to bra fittings, hair and makeup sessions, and will learn to make a goal book. Each girl will have the opportunity to pose in a red carpet-style "step and repeat" and have her photo taken as a remembrance of the day. Tour title sponsor rue21 will gift each participant with a selfie stick to help share the fun.

Says Allyson, "I'm so inspired by Sheryl Sandberg's 'Lean In' directed at women in the workplace, and the work being done by The Malala Fund to highlight the importance of global education for girls. Since the beginning, my goal with Threads for Teens has been to help empower teen girls in foster care or in situations of poverty at a crucial time in their lives. I'm coming at "girl power" from a unique angle. I know how much self-confidence I feel when I'm dressed well, but it's about more than clothing. It's about dignity and respect; I want all girls to have access to that feeling. Through Threads for Teens on Tour I'm hoping to inspire others to volunteer and contribute in their own way. Together, we really can change the world."

This year, the title sponsor for Threads for Teens on Tour is rue21 , one of the fastest-growing fashion retail brands in the country. rue21 is proud to partner with organizations like Threads for Teens as part of their recently launched rueGivesback philanthropy program and commitment to making a positive impact to the lives of their customers and employees in the communities where they work, live, shop and play.

The tour kick offs on August 8 in Los Angeles. Deserving girls referred from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) and other organizations will take part in the day. The tour continues across the US and officially wraps up on August 16 in New York.

Allyson is a rising junior at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She has created a full-service clothing boutique in Santa Rosa that has allowed over 2,700 girls in need to each pick out two brand-new outfits for free over the past five years. Her "Threads for Teens" nonprofit also has also provided 155 girls with backpacks filled with school supplies, and has given out 175 prom dresses. Allyson was inspired as a 14-year-old by a book she received as a Christmas gift, which shared the stories of teens who had undertaken remarkable service projects. Understanding how important clothes can be to a teenage girl's self-esteem and dignity, Allyson decided that she would try to make a difference by making new, fashionable clothing available to girls in foster care or situations of poverty.

To date, she has received more than $150,000 in monetary contributions and over $200,000 in clothing donations that include more than 40 national brands. When girls make appointments to shop at Allyson's boutique, located in a local storefront, they browse through the racks of new clothes and accessories, and pick out two head-to-toe outfits. Beginning in 2013, Allyson took her Threads for Teens boutique to the road and has visited some 60 cities in every contiguous state.

Link to photos of Allyson and last year's tour: http://bit.ly/TFT2015pix

About Allyson Ahlstrom
In 2010, at the age of 14, Allyson Ahlstrom decided that she would try to make a difference by making new, fashionable clothing available to girls in foster care or other situations of poverty. She solicited donations of clothing and cash and started a free boutique for underprivileged teen girls in Windsor California, 60 miles north of San Francisco. In 2013, the boutique found a permanent home in nearby Santa Rosa. That same year, Allyson first took Threads for Teen on the road and has now visited some 60 cities in all 48 contiguous states over two summer tours.

In 2011, Allyson was awarded with a Jefferson Award for Public Service, and in 2012 she received a HALO award from Nickelodeon. In May 2013, at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., actor Kevin Spacey and Olympic gold medalist Allyson Felix lauded Allyson Ahlstrom as one of America's Top 10 Youth Volunteers. Allyson has been featured on Today, Katie, and The Queen Latifah Show. In 2014 she was profiled in Moroccanoil's "Inspired By Women" series directed by Bryce Dallas Howard. Link to video: http://bit.ly/1JtCWCO

Allyson is a rising junior at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She studies economics, real estate, finance, and art history. In her free time, she plays the harp and piano.

About Threads for Teens
Threads for Teens (www.threadsforteens.org) is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization that gives underprivileged teen girls the opportunity to receive free, brand-new, quality clothing. Besides filling a tangible need, Threads for Teens gives young girls hope, boosts their self-esteem, and instills confidence. Threads for Teens was founded in January 2011 by then 14 year-old Allyson Ahlstrom of Santa Rosa, California.

About 2015 Threads for Teens on Tour sponsor rue21
rue21 (www.rue21.com) "rue" comes from the French word for "street" while "21" embodies the age that everyone wants to be! Inspired by the spirit and style of one of the best times in life, the rue21 store and web site are designed for those looking for fashion that's modern, trendy, and affordable.

Headquartered just north of Pittsburgh, PA, rue21 has over 1,100 stores in 48 states, not only in shopping malls but also in outlet and strip centers, allowing its customers to have access to the fashion-forward styles they crave.

rue21 is one of the fastest-growing fashion retail brands in the country. It offers the latest trends while staying affordable, so its customers don't have to sacrifice style for savings.

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