Creative Threads for Hope started out as Purses for Hope, originally born of Cindi’s love for both fabric and the people of Sierra Leone.

 

Seeing all the beautiful dresses the women wore, made her anxious to purchase fabric. She decided she could sew purses from the unique African patterns and sell them to raise the money for my return trips. 

 

This increasing love of sewing and fabrics has now lead her back to quilting. Not only does she love creating quilt tops, but Cindi has a new desire to help others finish their quilts. Her business also helps to fund the charitable endeavors that have so touched her heart.

 

 

Debra is the Founder & President of Breaking The Chains Foundation as well as an American Council on Exercise, Certified Health Coach, and Behavior Change Specialist.

After a successful dance career, Debra became a leading health and fitness expert with clients such as Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, Sony, Warner Brothers and other Time Warner Entities as well as personal trainer to Hollywood elite.  Debra has taught nationally in various prominent fitness facilities, including the Health & Fitness Director for RCCL.  As an ACE Faculty member, she designed & taught her workshops/seminars to other fitness professionals.  Inspired by dance and its healing elements, Debra founded BTCF whose work is committed to providing unique innovative programming with purpose, passion and personal story using all forms of art to unmask the stigma around eating disorders, body-image relationships, and related internal struggles by empowering over all mental health and wellness as well as strengthen the links of prevention and recovery.

In 2020 – 21, Debra served as the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) Network Co-Vice Chair, as well as the guest speaker for a live 90-minute virtual presentation for the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Eastside titled, “Keep Hope is Alive: Choosing Life Over an Eating Disorder. Under the leadership of Hopkins, BTCF was the first ever eating disorder platform to present at the 4th annual 2019 Worldwide Women Girl’s Festival at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California whereas in addition to sharing a wide range of their programming, she also provided her expertise on the Arts & Entertainment Career Mentoring Panel.  As a guest speaker, she has presented at Warner Brothers Studios, Sony, Rancho La Puerta, among many others.

Debra is also an award-winning writer/director/actress, with such projects as Chained and Bound, Call Box, Finding Alice, & Passing Darkness.  She is a co-creator of the 4-part Sci-Fi Supernatural Saga book series, Afterlife from Zimbell House Publishing with the first book release in February 2020.

Debra believes eating disorder recovery is possible and achievable aiding in a journey that feels alive, heart-felt and creative! She continues to work with her board and others in changing the stigma attached to eating disorders and mental health by changing the conversation so that recovery and self-discovery are always in sight, heart, & mind!

This will be a Pre-Recorded Interview with Debra – conducted by Amy Hart. We will also see a video. Debra is Amy’s cousin, so this interview will be amazing!

 

 

Offering Arts Education and top-level Entertainment, the Paramount is one of Charlottesville’s local treasures.

Learn about the new fiscal year plans and programming.