Project 860

💜 What started as a promise became a movement. 💜

As Ms President US of Middletown 2025–2026, Avaley C. Martínez chose Youth Mental Health Awareness as her platform and made a commitment to help create conversations, opportunities, and spaces where young people could feel seen, heard, and supported.

What began as one young leader's vision quickly grew into a shared journey. A group of friends came together through Project 860 with a common goal of making a difference in their community. Together, they used creativity, storytelling, leadership, and self-expression to help spread messages of hope, resilience, healing, and empowerment.

The Mindful Fashion Showcase was more than a runway event. It was a celebration of youth voices, creativity, and the power of connection. Through their designs, stories, and gallery exhibition, the girls shared meaningful messages in support of youth mental health awareness and reminded others that they are never alone.

As the 2025–2026 season comes to a close, we celebrate not only what these young leaders accomplished, but the impact they made together. Their willingness to support one another, use their voices, and step outside their comfort zones created something truly special.

The future is bright, and this journey is proof that young people have the power to inspire change.

💜 Because mental health matters.
💜 Because we are all worth it.

💜 We are so excited to share this special moment from our Project 860 Mindful Fashion Showcase!
What started as a journey became a full movement of creativity, confidence, and purpose in support of Youth Mental Health Awareness.
✨ Please click the link below to watch the full video and experience the runway moments, stories, and inspiration from our amazing young designers.
Because mental health matters. Because we are all worth it. 💜

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DaNpFusxYv1/?igsh=MTRleThleGtmdWhubQ==

💜 What started as a journey became a full movement 💜 Congratulations to Ms President US of Middletown 2025–2026, Avaley C. Martínez, and the Project 860 Mindful Fashion Designers. This showcase was more than a runway — it was a space where stories, emotions, creativity, and courage came to life. Each designer used their voice through fashion to share meaningful messages in support of Youth Mental Health Awareness. This experience was built on community, family, support, and connection — reminding us that no one walks their journey alone. We are incredibly proud of our designers for their bravery, creativity, and willingness to share their stories with the world. Because mental health matters. Because we are all worth it. 💜 Thank you to everyone who made this mental health awareness showcase possible: Designers: 💜 Angelina Rose Martinez 💜 Katia Arroyo-Hunter 💜 Lauren Molina 💜 Nikki D’Amico Seamstress & Runway Support: 💜 Mary Ruth @unitedsewinganddesign 💜Elizabeth Saylor 💜Project 860 Families and Friends💜 💜Community Supporters In partnership with: 💜CNTR And a special thank you to Ms President Avaley Cynthia Martínez for paving the way 💜 #Project860 #MindfulFashion #YouthMentalHealthAwareness #MentalHealthMatters MoreThanFashion #YouthEmpowerment YouthLeadership CreativeYouth CommunitySupport BecauseWeAreAllWorthIt

💜 Mindful Fashion Showcase 2026 💜

What an incredible day of creativity, confidence, and community!

On June 27, our Ms President US of Middletown, Avaley Martínez, and the Project 860 Mindful Fashion Designers proudly showcased their original designs at the CNTR Debri Couture Fashion Show. Each girl brought her unique story to life through fashion, using creativity as a way to express emotion, build confidence, and inspire Youth Mental Health Awareness.

Their designs came to life because each one had a story behind it, inspiring Youth Mental Health Awareness and reminding us that every voice matters.

We are so proud of every designer, every walk, and every moment shared on that runway. This experience was more than a fashion show — it was a celebration of courage, growth, and self-expression.

Thank you to our families, guests, mentors, and community partners who supported and believed in this platform and in our girls every step of the way.

Special thank you to everyone who made the Mindful Fashion Program possible:

CNTR 💜
💜
Team 💜
Our Mindful Fashion families 💜
Ms President US of Middletown 2025–2026, Avaley Martínez 💜

Because mental health matters. Because we are all worth it. 💜

YouthEmpowerment CNTR CommunitySupport CreativeYouth

Mindful Fashion Showcase: Debri Couture Runway Event

These girls have been working very hard. We couldn’t be more proud of their effort and commitment to supporting this important Mindful community platform.

We are inviting our community families and community partners to join us tomorrow as these young Mindful Fashion designers prepare to showcase their designs, inspiring Youth Mental Health Awareness 💜

Saturday, June 27th
Show Start Time: 3:00 PM
Location: CNTR
725 Main Street, Middletown, CT 06457
Right before the Portland Bridge

Free parking | Free admission

MindfulFashion YoungDesigners CommunityFashion MentalHealthMatters YouthEmpowerment CreativeYouth FashionForChange MiddletownCT SupportYouth PositiveYouthDevelopment

💜✨ A Dream Becoming Reality ✨💜

As Ms President US of Middletown 2025–2026 and Founder of Project 860, I am so excited to share that the youth of the Mindful Fashion Program in partnership with CNTR are preparing for the debut of our very first Mindful Fashion Show, hosted by CNTR.

Over the past several months, our student designers have been creating thoughtful and imaginative designs inspired by youth mental health awareness. Through fashion, art, and creativity, they are helping spread an important message: Mental Health Matters.

This showcase is more than a fashion show, it is another way for Project 860 to raise awareness, inspire kindness, and remind young people that they are worthy, valued, and never alone.

I am incredibly proud of all of our designers and thankful to our families, mentors, volunteers, and community supporters who have helped make this opportunity possible. A special thank you to CNTR for hosting this event and supporting youth creativity and mental health awareness.

🌷 Mindful Fashion Show
📅 Saturday, June 27, 2026
🕒 3:00 PM
📍 CNTR

We hope you'll join us in celebrating the creativity and hard work of these amazing young designers while supporting youth mental health awareness.

💜 Because You're Worth It. 💜
Love,

𝓐𝓿𝓪𝓵𝓮𝔂
Ms President US of Middletown 2025–2026
Founder, Project 860

🇺🇸💜 Memorial Day Parade 2026 💜🇺🇸

Today, we proudly celebrated more than a parade.

As Ms President US of Middletown, Avaley Martinez walked alongside her Project 860 Youth Team to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. We also celebrated the values that bring communities together - hope, healing, service, youth empowerment, and civic engagement.

Memorial Day reminds us that freedom comes with responsibility. It calls on each of us to serve our communities with compassion, courage, and unity.

Project 860 was honored to participate as a team of young leaders committed to making a positive difference. Through youth empowerment, mental health awareness, leadership development, and community service, these remarkable young people are learning that leadership is not about titles—it is about showing up, helping others, and working together to create change.

We are equally grateful for the parents and family members who walked alongside our youth leaders today. Their encouragement, guidance, and commitment remind us that strong communities are built when families and young people work together toward a shared purpose.

We would also like to thank City of Middletown, Connecticut Government
Middletown Police Department -Connecticut parade organizers, veterans, community organizations, and all the families who helped make this meaningful day possible.

Together, we marched to:
✨ Honor the sacrifices of those who served our nation.
✨ Inspire hope and healing within our communities.
✨ Empower youth to become leaders and changemakers.
✨ Demonstrate the power of families, youth, and community members working together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, supported us, and cheered us on throughout the parade route. Your support reminds our young leaders that their voices matter and that positive change happens when people come together.

Today was a celebration of remembrance, service, leadership, and community—and we are proud to be part of it.

💜 The future is brighter when youth, families, and communities lead together.

WE DID IT 💛✨

Our Ms. President US of Middletown alongside her Project 860 youth leadership team, community supporters, families, mentors, and local partners, came together for something bigger than ourselves, supporting youth mental health and su***de prevention through our partnership with the Connecticut Children's Foundation.

Our original fundraising goal was $1,500…
TOGETHER WE RAISED $2,425 💛😭

Because of the incredible support from our community, our Ms. President, Project 860 team, and parents were invited to Connecticut Children’s Hospital for a special check presentation, hospital tour, and certificate recognition honoring the impact made by our youth-led initiative.
From purchasing merchandise designed by our youth, to donations from family, friends, mentors, and community members, every contribution helped make a difference.

A special thank you to everyone who believed in our mission of spreading hope and healing to youth in need.

This is what happens when youth leadership, community, creativity, and compassion come together 💛✨

💖Project 860 | Youth-led | Powerful | Impactful | Spreading Hope & Healing 💖