Beauty Night Society » Healthy Living

Power & Groove

Caroline — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:52:49 +0000

Last Monday, I was enroute to Beauty Night when I received a call. DJ had borrowed Tricia’s phone to let me know the power had gone out. A hawk flew into the power line and died. It knocked out the power line. When I arrived to see if it was possible to open, there was a cluster of police men looking up at the power line. They said it would depend on BC Hydro when things were able to move forward. When I walked into the centre, an alarm was beeping. After speaking to staffers at Bridge Housing (which runs the building) and DEWC, we were advised to shut down for the night. Throughout this, many of the participants kept coming up and asking if we were going to open up. We waited until 6pm, put a sign on the door to let everyone know we would not be open. I am sorry for everyone that I was unable to reach before you arrived at DEWC. Hopefully this week, everything will be back to normal.

Tuesday night brought some new faces into the Beauty Night arena. When everyone arrived, Alice, the program coordinator from DEWC came up to speak to me about the power outage. There were several things that we had to adjust as the power had not been restored completely. Whether or not it was because they missed us on Monday or due to adjustments during the day at DEWC, we had a full house on Tuesday night. Thank you for everyone for pitching in and making the night flow as smoothly as possible.

One of my favourite parts of the evening was having the dance area. Debbie, one of our yoga instructors and Marlene, one of our pilates instructors and movement teachers encouraged the ladies to dance. Based on the ladies requests for dance classes, Marlene and Debbie (similar to Lauren & I a few weeks ago) asked the ladies to dance. I could hear tons of laughter as the women grooved and moved. At the end of the night, Debbie and Marlene suggested using gentle music for the last hour of the night to get the ladies to stretch and relax. I think this will be a great way to get some of the ladies to try pilates and yoga movement. Most of this will be done in chairs as some of the ladies can not get down to a mat on the floor. Marlene wrote a beautiful piece on our blog about the experience: Connecting Through Movement

If you are interested in writing a blog post for our site, please let me know. We are always looking for volunteers to share their experiences about Beauty Night.

Beauty Night Partners with Lace Campaign

Caroline — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 17:20:04 +0000

On September 12th, we started our Beauty Night with a splash of health by partnering with the Lace Campaign. Lace encourages women to get their pap tests once a year. According to studies, many cases of cervical cancer can be cured if caught early on. We partner with street nurses to offer pap testing for Beauty Night participants 3 times a year. Please encourage the women in your life to book a pap test once a year.

Volunteers become Leaders

Caroline — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 16:27:45 +0000

Thanks to over 400 volunteers, we are able to offer programming for over 100 participants each week. Many of our volunteers volunteer once a month or off site.

We have weekly volunteer opportunities available. We are looking for volunteers who are available to volunteer once a week from 5:30-8:30pm Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights.

Some of the reasons we enjoy having weekly volunteers are:

Volunteers get to know our participants. Through this process, it is easier to continue the conversations that we begin. Through the “getting to know you” process, our volunteers get to find out what our participants needs & wants are. Through this process, our weekly volunteers are able to talk to our participants about things they would like to see us offer through our programming.

Through that process we have had volunteers and participants become leaders in the community. Long time volunteer Katie Benjamin created Womyn’s Gym, one on one personal training for low income women. The 10 week program was run through e students. Katie’s work has not gone unnoticed. She was the 2009 YWCA Young Woman of Distinction in Vancouver, BC.

11 year old, Laura Mah wanted to “give back”. Together with the help of her teacher at her elementary school, she started “Knit Fit”. The first year they taught over 50 kids to knit. During the Christmas season, Laura came down to our space with her mother. She handed out over 60 scarves. Throughout the past 8 years, Knit Fit continued to grow. When Laura left for University of Victoria last year, the project continued. We had over 300 scarves knitted by elementary school kids to hand out during our Xmas Stocking Drive.

Although not every volunteer will want to create their own program, many volunteers will develop workshops or activities they would like to lead with our participants. Through our correspondence and programming committees, volunteers are able to bring the voices of the women into our discussions about how to continue to build self esteem and change lives.

If you are interested in becoming a weekly volunteer, please fill in our volunteer application form. Our next volunteer orientation is August 8th at 5:30pm. Thank you!

Beautiful Ideas

Caroline — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 21:59:28 +0000

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.

Seek it & Find it

caroline — Sun, 20 Feb 2011 19:39:18 +0000

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!”

Education 101

caroline — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 21:13:37 +0000

On the 3rd Wednesday of the month (known as cheque issue or “welfare Wednesday”, we have low turnout for participants. Starting in January 2011, program co-ordinator, Tiffany Telford & Executive Director Caroline MacGillivray decided to change that Wednesday into Volunteer Education 101.

“During the first session in January, our board walked in to see Lisa Dahling – who brings her massage chair down to offer services to our participants – teaching our volunteers & participants some relaxation massage techniques,” MacGillivray recalls. “It was great to see everyone connecting while developing different skill sets – volunteers and participants.”

“Everyone had a fantastic time. It solved the core issue which was to open or not to open on Cheque Issue. The numbers are low but we feel it is important to have somewhere for the participants to go. Some organizations are not open on Cheque Issue which does not encourage particpants to stay clean and sober.

It also helped us find a way to make sure we have enough volunteers for the times we do get more participants. We want to be able to find opportunities to reward them for coming in not just when they are in need. What we are doing is building a community through our three streams of programming – makeovers, wellness, and life skill development. Thanks to over 400 volunteers we are able to provide programming 3 to 4 days per week.”

This week had a variety of workshop leaders including:

Dr. Melissa Carr, Active Life Health Clinic spoke to our volunteers & participants about the benefits of acupuncture and different pressure points.

Anne Whitmore from Divafish Communications answered questions and offered guidance on goal setting.

Cory Thompson, trainer for Dermalogica set up a Skin Care Bar and taught his engaged audience of participants & volunteers the value of taking 10 minutes per day to take care of their skin. “I have never felt my skin feel so soft,” said one participant enthusiastically.

Laura Fairfield, one of our Sun Run walk/run team leaders spoke about our upcoming campaign & able fitness goal setting.

When asked about the future of this series, MacGillivray replies,”I am excited about having a forum for volunteers, supporters & participants to share their skills and knowledge. I hope that some day in the near future, we have some of the participants doing some of the presentations too.”

Beauty Night Participants & Founder Sun Run Train

caroline — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 16:57:46 +0000

Starting on Monday, January 17th, Beauty Night participants start training for the Sun Run. Our walk/run particpants have the option of training for Sun Run. Thanks to sponsorship from SportMedBC’s RunWalk Programs with SportMedBC’s Olympian and RunWalk Coach, Lynn Kanuka our team leaders will have the support and guidance for training our participants. Last year 7 women participated in the Sun Run – 4 finished.

This year, Beauty Night Founder, Caroline MacGillivray will be a team leader. “Sometimes it is easier to work out when I am doing it for someone else. I have never participated in a walk/run program. My fitness activities have always been focused on dance or swimming. This is a huge challenge for myself and I am excited to bring this challenge to our participants.”
Once a week, Caroline will be posting about her training sessions with the participants. As we count down to April 17th, Caroline will be collecting donations to be used for Beauty Nights three streams of programming: makeovers, wellness, and life skills.

If you are interested in making a donation or checking out Caroline’s giving page to create your own to raise money for Beauty Night, please visit, Caroline’s Giving Page.

Volunteer Opportunity: Fitness & Yoga Instructors

caroline — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 09:24:21 +0000

In December 2010, we issued a health/social impact evaluation. Most of our participants surveyed said their new year’s resolution were to lead healthy lives. Many of them specifically asked for more support with setting their fitness goals. On January 5th, our doors at Life Skills Centre open for 2011. As the women enter the gates of 2011, we want to continue to support them.

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We are hoping to fill 2 volunteer positions:
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Walk/Run Team Leader: Monday Nights 6pm -8pm
- Coordinate walk/run volunteers
- Coordinate women (take attendance)
- Call shelters to let them know there is walk/run clinic happening (will be emailing updated schedule to them)
- Work with creation station volunteers to help them create vision boards for 2011 fitness goals
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Yoga Instructor: Wednesday Nights 6pm-8pm
- Set up yoga room
- Take attendance
- Teach class
- If possible lead journaling session

Volunteers must have current First Aid and appropriate certifications for teaching yoga and coaching.
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Please let me know if you are available or if you know someone who might be – we are holding a volunteer orientation on Wed, Jan 5th at 5:30pm for anyone who might be a fit. Please have them fill in our volunteer form and state which volunteer position they wish to fill.

Papalooza – Pap Awareness Week

helenevans — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 18:02:03 +0000

Beauty Night Society & DAMS present…

LACE Campaign’s Papalooza

Beauty night society is partnering with DAMS (Drug and Alchohol Meeting Support for Women), street nurses, PHS Life Skills Centre and LACE Campaign for Pap awareness week. According to LACE Campaign, women should get their Pap tests once a year to screen for cervical cancer. Seven out of ten cases of cervical cancer can be treated if caught early enough. Street nurses will be offering Beauty Night participants Pap screenings. Beauty Night volunteers and participants will talk about Pap awareness and cervical health.

Come in on Monday, October 25 from 5-7:30pm at PHS Life Skills Centre, 412 East Cordova.

Get tested
Get a gift
Have fun – snacks, prizes, and entertainment

If you know any women who have been reluctant to go for Pap screens, please tell them about this event!

Screening: Under One Sky

caroline — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 16:53:31 +0000

Screening: Under One Sky

Monday, January 25th kicks off with a screening of Chris McDowell and Moira Simpson’s film (screened at VIFF 2009) Under One Sky at 6pm. We are excited to have the film makers in house And one of the martial artists from the film (Please see information from Inside Douglas College Newsletter below) offer a demo and a mini workshop with the women. Photographer, Ken Villeneuve will be taking photos of the women in their favourite martial arts pose. Our makeover program and Kids Club will run as scheduled starting at 6pm.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2009
Media tech’s film featured at VIFF

Cinephiles planning to hit the Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) are advised to check out Under One Sky, directed and co-produced by our very own Chris McDowell. Chris is a Media Production Technician/Trainer with the Centre for Educational and Information Technology (CEIT).

Under One Sky is unlike any other film in the martial arts genre, says Chris. Filmed on the Sunshine Coast, it features a group of women taking part in an annual training camp with the Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists. Moira Simpson, a respected, award-winning filmmaker and sessional instructor at Emily Carr University, shot, edited and co-produced the piece with Chris, Monica Baillie and Joni Miller.

“A documentary like this is a team sport and Mo was an essential collaborator,” says Chris.

Chris first became interested in the subject matter when she worked on a film about Karate for Women, a local martial arts club. Initially, she was interested in sharing the accomplishments of the women in Under One Sky, along with their influence in teaching other women to defend themselves. “In the end, the film focuses on the powerful spiritual journey these women find themselves on,” she says.

“This film is a testament to every woman who has fought back.”

Womyns Gym Program Coordinator, Tyla Flexman and National Executive Director, Caroline MacGillivray thought the film would be a great way to inspire more women to explore the different tools for healing offered through physical fitness. With our 2010 Womyns Gym session starting on February 9 on Monday and Wednesday nights, we wanted to remind our participants of the different tools that can be used to create life makeovers.

For the 2010 session of Womyns Gym, Flexman and MacGillivray aim to have several women complete the Sun Run on May 9, 2010. We will be coordinating a running clinic for the Womyns gym participants who would like to complete the run.