By Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North America Bureau

Santa Clara, CA – The runway show’s theme was Cinderella — a rags to riches story with a message of hope…hope that things could get better despite hard economic times.

The fashion runway featured  the creations of 20-year old self-taught Filipino-American designer Aaron Paul Juni.

Juni said, “These are not just models going to down the runway.  I really want a show with a lot more meaning.  These are not just clothes; there is emotion that goes with it, that goes with the times we’re living in.”

This fashion show was the highlight of the charity event of the Filipino American Real Estate Professionals or FAREPA held on Friday,  October 15.

Richard Miller, president of FAREPA said, “Our mission statement is to work with communities.  We participate in a lot of non-profit events because we want to give back to the community.  We’re there to raise money and give it back.”

FAREPA’s beneficiary this year is Inn Vision, Silicon Valley’s leading provider of housing and services for homeless families and individuals.

Christine Burroughs, president of Inn Vision said, “We serve about 1,400 people a day and provide every type of service people would need to get back on their feet.  So for this organization to hold a fundraiser on our behalf is so helpful, particularly in this economy.”

Filipino-American Darwin Brown and his family were  among those who were  helped by Inn Vision.  After Darwin and his wife Victoria lost their jobs in 2008, they had to give up their home.

They stayed at Inn Vision for 7 months.  Now, they have jobs and are on their own again.

Darwin said, “I’ve been knocked down before.  Even before, I still have a hard time.  But you cannot lose hope.  There are other people out there willing to help.”

FAREPA’s charity event and fashion show raised about $3,000 for Inn Vision and its homeless beneficiaries.