An idea is just an idea if it stays in your head. Sometimes by sharing it, it can become real. – Caroline MacGillivray, Founder & Executive Director, Caroline MacGillivray
Several weeks ago, our Executive Director, Caroline MacGillivray met with Dr. Melissa Carr from Active Life Health Clinic to seek advice on how to bring acupuncture services to Beauty Night participants. “One of our focuses is to connect our participants to opportunities to improve their health & wellness. I had heard that acupuncture can be used reducing addiction and wanted to find out more about it before introducing it to our participants,” said MacGillivray. “Through an advisory meeting with Dr. Carr, I was able to pin point some of the key areas that acupuncture could benefit the lives of our participants.
Addiction, diabetes 2, depression, arthritis, HIV/AIDS, Hep C, and other health concerns that affect Beauty Night participants could be helped with acupuncture. “I had never tried acupuncture before so I had many concerns,” says MacGillivray with a smile, “Starting with my fear of needles. I was worried about the fact that many of our participants have experienced negative touch. Our makeover program is one of our methods to reintroduce touch in a non-threatening way. I wanted to make sure that participants felt safe.”
Dr. Carr spoke at our Volunteer Education 101 session on Wednesday, February 16th, 2011. According to program coordinator, Tiffany Telford both participants and volunteers were enthusiastic and excited about the concept of acupuncture services being offered at Beauty Night. The question was where would we find someone who could commit to coming twice a month to offer services.
“Vancouver is a small town,” said MacGillivray. “When we were offering outreach at one of our partner organizations, I ran into Laurel Irons, WISH’s Mobile Access Project program coordinator. Laurel and I have worked together before. I was excited as she was offering acupuncture through her mobile acupuncture company 5Shen. Without hesitation, I asked her if she would be interested in offering treatments for our participants.”
Laurel’s response?
“I’m looking forward to reuniting with Caroline MacGillivray & working with Beauty Night Society very soon. Acupuncture with the women 5:30 – 8pm at (our home base) PHS Lifeskills every 2nd & 4th Monday of the month, starting Feb 28. Beauty Night is a wonderful organization. Their vision statement: Because dignity is beautiful.” – Laurel Irons, 5Shen Acupuncture and Herbal Therapy.
With a smile, MacGillivray says, “It is perfect timing and a great fit. Laurel has worked with some of the most vulnerable women in Vancouver as a mentor and to provide acupuncture treatments. I am looking forward to welcoming her to Beauty Night.”
* As a side note, MacGillivray realized if Beauty Night was going to partner with 5Shen to offer acupuncture treatments to the women, it would be helpful to be able to describe how treatments felt. Thanks to Dr. Melissa Carr from Active Life Health Clinic, MacGillivray has become an acupuncture enthusiast! “After my first treatment, I felt completely blissed out,” said MacGillivray, “What a great thing to offer to our participants!”
