Ms. Temple Terrace Plus Becomes Underwear Fairy

Ms. Temple Terrace Plus America 2013 Tiffani Barner has a new title: The Underwear Fairy.

It’s a nickname she’s earned in the last couple months while collecting underwear, bras, blankets and socks for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay. The underwear drive began last month and runs until the end of the summer. So far, Barner has raised $320 in cash and items.

“One of the queens I met at the pageant mailed me a donation,” she said.

The 2013 Florida State Miss Plus America Pageant was a success for Barner.

Not only did she walk away as the first runner up in her division, she also came back to Temple Terrace with boosted self-esteem and an inflated desire to help the community.

“I’d probably have to say the best thing I took away from the pageant wasn’t the crown or the sash but the friendships with women who were passionate about their causes,” Barner said. “It motivated me to do more.”

That motivation inspired Barner to start the underwear drive for her pageant platform: the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay, a facility that helps people deal with the devastating trauma of sexual assault or abuse, domestic violence, financial distress, substance abuse, medical emergency, suicidal thoughts, and emotional or situational problems.

Barner first became acquainted with the Crisis Center three years ago after she was raped. Not only did her attacker violate her, he took her self-worth and her ability to trust people. Since then, she’s had to build those attributes back up, and the center has been there for her along the way.

“From the moment that you walk in there, you’re greeted by someone who is going to take care of you,” Barner said.

When a rape victim arrives at the center, law enforcement officers attempt to gather evidence against an attacker from the victim’s clothing.

“Most times, your clothing is taken away from you,” Barner explained. “You don’t think about bringing clothes with you, so it’s important for the Crisis Center’s closet to be stocked.”

That’s why Barner has organized the underwear drive. To donate, call her at 813-731-6484 or email her at tiffanitbarner@aol.com.

What else has Barner been up to since the pageant?

Last year, she connected with domestic violence survivor Jennifer Rossoff, director of The Creative Movement Company. Barner is now the assistant director and creative movement instructor for the business, which uses dance as a healing mechanism.

In May, they organized a free workshop for about 40 rape survivors, which Barner said was therapeutic.

“At the beginning, you could tell some of them weren’t invested in it. They were thinking about rape,” she said. “By the end of the hour, there were smiles.”

They’re hoping to have more of these types of events for the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and the Family Justice Center now that they have secured a $1,000 grant from the Emily List Fund for Performing Arts Therapy, which honors the memory of Emily List, an actor and dancer, and supports performing arts projects aimed at helping the sick and disadvantaged.

“I’m excited about it,” Barner said.

And, she’s also excited about supporting her pageant sister Andresea Jackson, who competed in the 2013 Florida State Miss Plus America Pageant as Ms. Tampa Bay Plus America and won the Ms. Florida Plus America title.

Jackson and the other Florida winners will leave July 13 for Monroe, La., where they’ll compete in the national Miss Plus America Pageant July 16-19.

Jackson, who grew up in Temple Terrace, is a single mother and owns Tampa-based I Am MOM (Motivating Other Mothers). It’s a company dedicated to helping single moms realize their goals through workshops and seminars.

“My biggest message is size doesn’t define you,” said Jackson, whose platform is Head Start. “You can love your body, but you also have to love your life.”

To learn more about Jackson, her platform and how to donate, visit her Facebook page.

For more information about Barner and her causes, visit her Facebook page.

See also:

• Rape Survivor to Compete in Florida Miss Plus America Pageant