Our friend and past board member, Bill Nevison interviews some of our volunteers and participants about what Beauty Night means to them.
Why Beauty Night? Our Volunteers & Participants Speak
September 1, 2013 by
Want to Volunteer for Beauty Night?
January 8, 2013 by
Tonight, Tuesday, January 8th our first volunteer orientation of 2013 starts at 6pm. It will be held at DTES Women’s Centre (302 Columbia Street). Orientation runs from 6-8:30pm. Please arrive 15 minutes early.
We are looking for dedicated volunteers who can commit to one 3 hour shift each week. The shifts are from 5-8pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings. We believe that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.
We are looking for like minded people to join our Team. Male and female volunteers are welcome.
If you are unable to make tonight’s orientation, our next orientations will be:
Sunday, January 27th, Surrey - Location TBD
Tuesday, February 5th, Firehall Branch of Vancouver Public Library (1455 West 10th Avenue) 5pm - 7:30pm. (Most orientations are held 1st Tuesday of every month)
What do we do at Beauty Night? Here are some moments at last night’s beauty night.
Team Beauty Night in Action
January 4, 2013 by
What is Beauty Nite? Love to all women. Pampering, non-judgemental. Head to toe feeling of loving yourself! Thank you ladies! - Beauty Night Participant
Happy 2013! Team Beauty Night jumped right into the new year with two beauty nights in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES). With January 1 falling on the Tuesday, we started our year visiting some of our community partnerships facilities.Wednesday night brought Team Beauty Night to Sorella House and Thursday to First United Church (320 East Hastings Street).
Our visit to First United Church is always special to us. Back in 2000, Wish Drop in Centre’s home in the church. 12 years ago, we held our first Beauty Night there. Last night volunteers, staff, and participants shared their thoughts as what they love about Beauty Night.
“Its a great program for all the women. I Have been coming for 8 years. It’s great to be pampered by all the volunteers and staff. I engage all woman to treat themself with love and be treated the way they should. Thanks Carol (Caroline MacGillivray) and all the girls that are here. Pampering can encourage them.” Tracy, Beauty Night participant.
If you are interested in joining our cause, there are opportunities to volunteer, donate or become a sponsor. Thank you for your on going support. Beauty Night… dignity is beautiful.
Beauty Night Wins BC Ideas National Impact Investment Award
November 29, 2012 by
On behalf of Beauty Night, thanks to all of you that voted for us in the BC Ideas Competition. Over 466 ideas were submitted. There are 33 BC Ideas winners and recipients of $270, 000. We are pleased to report that we are the recipient of their National Impact Investment award of $15,000 provided by J.W. McConnell Family Foundation. This money will be put towards expanding our current programs and activities to better serve women living in poverty in the Downtown Eastside and beyond. For more information about Beauty Night’s award, as well as the other award recipients please visit BC Ideas.
1st Day of Xmas
December 13, 2011 by
On the first day of Xmas, our friends at AG Hair were as busy as elves. Decorating stockings with beads and bows, they filled more than 400 stockings to hand out to dear people we know. Through the streets of the downtown eastside our volunteers roam handing out xmas stockings to women we know.
Dressed up as the Grinch and a Holiday elf, through shelters, Sorella House, and Rice Block we headed with a car stuffed with xmas wealth. Staff members at the houses greeted us with joy. Together we brought in boxes of stockings filled with tooth brushes, tooth paste, AG-Hair products and toys.
Bringing Stockings to shelter to hand out
The first door we knocked, with hesitation it was unlocked. “We wish you a merry christmas, we wish you a merry christmas, we wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year!” we sang. Serenaded she was touched as she gentle took the stocking and said,”Thank you very much.”
Door after door we knocked, singing our Christmas carols, we rocked. Watching eyes light up with delight made us realize just how right the idea of giving is better than receiving - the joy we got was oh so pleasing.
165 stockings we handed out during our journey along this route. Excited to hand out more as the 2nd day of Xmas will have more in store. Thank you to all who have helped make our 12 Days of Xmas Campaign come true - we are so grateful to all of you!
FundRaising: Youth in Philanthropy $5000 to our cause
May 27, 2011 by
Here it is… the video created by Carson Graham Secondary students used in their presentation that won $5000 for our cause. In their own words:
Youth And Philanthropy initiative bursary winning video on Beauty night Society’s wonderful services, accomplishments and mission. Beauty Nights, is a Vancouver based volunteer ran program that is designed for to give “live makeovers” for the woman of the Downtown East side of Vancouver that live in poverty.
Beautiful Ideas
April 16, 2011 by
Addiction: “physical or psychological dependence on psychoactive substances.” So says the dictionary. When beginning to volunteer with a population with addiction concerns, its tempting to generalize ‘dependent’ to describe the character of people with addiction – after all, many people with addictions are in need of food and housing support. However, I discovered at Beauty Night just how incorrect the generalization of dependence is.
Beauty Night provides beauty and wellness services to women in the downtown eastside, “building self-esteem and changing lives.” One night I was chatting with women as they waited for haircuts. Darlene seemed particularly nervous about her haircut and we chatted on a range of topics. Towards the end of the night, she finally told me the great significance of her hair cut: while she was a child, her mother was physically abusive to her little sister, holding her down by the hair. She told me how her sister had cut her hair really short to keep safe from their mother, and how she cut her hair too to show support for her sister. As Darlene shuffled away from me towards the darkness outside, she shrugged and said, “Everything starts as an idea…everything starts as an idea.”
Despite her limited resources, Darlene had empowered herself to support her sister with the only resource she could, her own hair. It was one thing to recognize what she could do, and another to follow through and do it – I’m inspired by Darlene’s courage and generosity. Such courage and generosity is prevalent among the women at Beauty Night. One woman told me how she gives away part of her annual food hamper as Christmas presents, and another about how she writes poetry to fund raise for the community. Another women keeps in contact with youths she used to nanny and provides a safe refuge for them to flee to at night.
So what are women in the DTES dependent on? What do they want from aid organizations? Insight about these questions came from one women who was furious because she felt she’d been skipped in the line-up. My first thought was to try to explain to her how she’d just misinterpreted the sign-up sheet, yet part of me knew it’d be futile – I’d spoken with this woman earlier and guessed she had a mental disability; she was unlikely to understand the mix up, especially while on the verge of throwing a tantrum. As I stood paralysed in dilemma, the coordinator of the event, Caroline, noticed the woman’s distress: Caroline walked up to her, put a hand on her shoulder and asked what wrong. And then Caroline simply said “I’m sorry.” The woman paused for a minute, then in a softer voice repeated her concern. Caroline again said “I’m sorry.” No excuses. No rationalization. No judgement. Simply empathizing and taking ownership. This respect was what the woman needed.
I’ve learned from Beauty Night that the services themselves are less important than how the women are treated in the process – they’re treated like they’re competent to make choices, have a right to want things a certain way, and are independent decision makers. People may become dependent on substances but they continue to maintain and cherish independence in other areas of their lives. As Darlene said, everything starts as an idea. Ideas worth respecting come even from unexpected people in unexpected places. The women of the downtown eastside have ideas to be heard and to inspire us. Ideas they’re not afraid to act on.
What’s your idea and what’s stopping you from doing it?
This story has been written by Julia Pon.
Do I need to do makeup?
December 30, 2010 by
“I don’t do makeup but I want to volunteer.”
We have three streams of programming:
Makeovers (hair, makeup, manicures, relaxation massage)
Wellness (footcare, walk/run clinic/womyn gym)
Life Skills (literacy, goal setting, mentorship opportunities)
When these are combined together, they create opportunities for our participants to build self esteem and change their lives. Thanks to over 400 volunteers we have given over 11 000 life-makeovers in the past 10 years! If you are interested in getting volunteering for frontline work, we are holding our first volunteer orientation of 2011 on Wednesday, January 5th from 5:30pm to 8:30pm.
Volunteer requirements:
- Enthusiastic and excited about the opportunity to volunteer on a weekly basis on a Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday shift
- Great team player
- Innovative and eager to participate in program development
- Adaptable and comfortable working with women from different walks of life
- Possess appropriate certifications or enrolled in school for specialized volunteer opportunities (yoga, group fitness certification, food safe, health care diploma, enrolled in specific skill development programs)
- Interested in becoming serving on a committee or getting involved behind the scenes
For more information please fill in our volunteer form.
Beautilicious News June 21 -28th
June 21, 2010 by
Good Morning Everyone,
Product Contributions:
Huge thanks to everyone for your continued support Special thanks to those who responded so quickly to my facebook & twitter requests for more nail polish. The immediate response offering to contribute polish from your personal collections, contribute monies to purchase more supplies and spreading the word among your friends was overwhelming. It reminded me of how Beauty Night originally started. In the fall of 2000, I sent an email out asking for contributions of hair, nail, skin, dental and body care products to hold the first Beauty Night. People forwarded that email and I started hearing from people who I didn’t know that had contributions of products and money to purchase what we needed.
Beauty Night Volunteers Dressed up as Santa’s Helpers Handing out Xmas Stockings, Hand-knitted
Scarves, Oranges and Cookies and Spreading Xmas Cheer on December 24, 2009!
Since then we have given over 11 000 makeovers in 9.5 years. Our original concept has evolved from makeovers to life-makeovers. Our programming includes personal development, literacy, child minding, physical fitness, goal setting and mentorship. We can no longer accept gently used products as we are following Health & Safety Canada’s Guidelines. We would love to accept samples and new products or monies to purchase products. In the fall, we will begin our annual Xmas Stocking Drive. We will be filling up 600 stockings that Ms. Claus will hand out on Xmas eve to the women who participate in our programs. If you are interested in being involved in this program, please email us at [email protected] with your contact information and how you would like to get involved.
Beauty Night Welcomes David Chen as our treasurer
David K Chen:
Complete Financial’s owner and primary financial advisor is David Chen, BSc., BA, CSA (Certified Senior Advisor)
David is a technical scuba diver, motorcyclist and family man with a very mixed background of education, real world experience and financial services training.
Born and raised in Vancouver, David has built strong relationships with friends, colleagues and clients. Everybody knows if they have a problem and need a solution, they should contact him, even if it doesn’t have anything to do with money. “I am always available to help or find help” is David’s favourite saying.
David specializes in investment, insurance and leveraging strategies for personal and corporate cases focusing on preventing financial shrinkage and encouraging growth. Through stop loss plans and low tax investments, he has helped many families meet their financial challenges, including those with disabled children. He has been in the financial field since January 2004.
-Received a B.Sc. in human physiology from McGill University and a B.A. with awards and honours in bio-psychology from UBC.
-Certified Senior Advisor, 2 year Order of Merit qualifier, currently working towards his certified financial planner designation.
-Worked in a variety of professions including heavy machinery operator, light commercial scuba diver, and business manager.
-Currently one of a handful of technical-diver instructors with PADI-DSAT and well respected life support equipment technician
-Director and newsletter editor with Barnet Rifle Club since 1995.
-President to his 530 unit, residential strata council, 3 years running.
-Guest business psychology speaker for UBC’s Social Psychology Department.
-Job Interview Process coach and Work Experience mentor with Fraser Heights Secondary School
-Guest lecturer for Financial Matters with Fraser Heights Secondary School
-Workshop presenter for the Disabilities Association of British Columbia
-Workshop presenter for the North Shore Connexions society
-Workshop presenter for Community Living BC North Shore division
-Entrepreneur mentor for Canadian Youth Business Foundation
Beauty Night Volunteers An Minh Vu and Debbie Wright Chat and Style!
Thank You Vancouver Foundation!
We are thrilled to announce we are one of the recipients of Vancouver Foundations’ 3 year grants. Over the next three years, Vancouver Foundation will be contributing $45 000 to our Life Makeover program. The investment in Beauty Night Society’s mission to provide marginalized women and youth tools to make positive lifestyle choices strengthens the community within a community that Beauty Night has created. This investment will make it easier for us to reach more women and to get more of their input.
How Are We Doing?
We will be creating a Women’s Advisory Group with our participants and volunteers who are interested in being involved. Through these sessions we are hoping to evaluate what we offer our participants, how we can evolve it to meet their needs in ways they would like their needs met, and creating a stronger sense of community.
An Minh Vu, one of long time volunteers will be conducting a survey for our Beauty Night participants. Our last survey was conducted in 2006 to establish demographics. Our updated survey will collect demographics as well as focus groups to find out what our participants want. We are aiming to conduct the survey in September 2010. Thanks to the Benefic Foundation to contributing $3000 to Beauty Night to conduct the suvey.
Every Woman & Womyns Gym Inspire Women who Move
Huge thanks to www.everywomanintheworld.com for raising over $2000 for Beauty Night through their annual silent auction & raffle. Every Woman Founders’ Kerri Carleson & Lynn Kanuka have made a huge impact on the lives of women through www.everywomanintheworld and continue to support Beauty Night monitarily, sponsorship and through volunary efforts. Kanuka, walk/run coach for Sport Med BC made it possible for 7 of our Womyns Gym participants to run the Sun Run. Thanks to the online coaching and the entry fees sponsored by the Sun, 4 of our participants completed the run. Womyn’s Gym Program Coordinator, Tyla Flexman & Kanuka might have a walk/run clinic geared up for Sept 2010 for our participants who wish to participate in the 2011 Sun Run.
Until then, Womyn’s Gym programming will focus on group fitness classes. We asked the women what types of fitness classes they would like to enjoy. Dance classes are at the top of the list. Thanks to Vivian Dang, Lina Martin-Chen, and Franny Varty, our participants are able to drop their children off with our child minders as they enjoy a dance class or our makeover program.
Out Reach
Since the closure of Vancouver Health’s Health Contact Centre in May, we have partnered with many community groups and service providers to offer our life makeover program to their participants. Participants of WISH, Atira’s EWMA (Emerging Women Making Art), YMCA’s Nanook, BC Women’s Hospital’s Fir Square, and Atira’s Serena’s Place have had or are scheduled to able to participate in our Life Makeover Program on their own premises. In July 2010, we stretch our programming to different parts of the lower mainland starting with the Front Room in Surrey.
Beauty Night Schedule Week of June 21 - June 27th.
Tonight’s Beauty Night
Schedule:
5:30 -8:30pm
412 E Cordova
Facilitating: Tiffany
Nails: Margo, Louise
Hair: Pamela & Courtney
Makeup: Amanda?
Skin Care: Anna
Reiki: Amanda
Creation Station: Jen
Tomorrow (Tuesday June 22) 6-8:30pm
BC Women’s Hospital
4500 Oak Street (in Fir Square * Please let us know if you need parking as they will give you a pass for parking)
Facilitating: Tiffany
Hair: Gary, Courtney
Nails: Karen, Louise
Skin Care: Anna
Makeup: Tiff
Saturday, June 26th
Nanook House
(special celebration for women wrapping up a 12 week personal development session I have been teaching. Mainly single moms)
Clark & Broadway Area * will coordinate place to meet with volunteers as confidentiality is important)
2- 4:30pm
Makeup:
Hair:
Nails:
Skin Care:
Massage:
* I’ve asked them to bring clothing to dress up in for after the make over, they can celebrate!
�
Thank you to all of your support. If you wish to become a monthly contributor, please click on this link. https://beautynightsociety.pincgiving.com/
�
�
Sincerely,
-
Caroline MacGillivray
Beauty Night Society
www.beautynight.org
Beauty Night provides marginalized women and youth tools to make positive life style changes.
9 years, 400 volunteers, 11 000 makeovers.
Beauty Night… because dignity is beautiful.
All I want for Xmas
January 25, 2010 by
Huge thanks to our contributors and volunteers who made our All I Want for Xmas party successful! Thanks to your contributions we are able to provide more life makeovers to vulnerable women.
Thanks to Ronnie Bugay from www.galeliodesign.com for capturing the event and what we aim to achieve with the monies raised through Beauty Night Society.
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPWVfl__wuc[/video]
