On Monday, December 19th we held our 11 year anniversary celebration. Almost 40 volunteers helped spread the holiday spirit. CBC captured moments of the night which aired on the 11pm news. When I logged onto the CBC website, I was thrilled with the coverage.

After 11 years of providing programming in the DTES, I was glad that most of the comments were favourable. I wanted to thank the community for supporting our initiative and our partner organizations that work hard throughout the year to change this piece of the world 365 days each year. Many people left warm comments about the story. There were a few comments we were surprised to see.

CBC Reader Comment:

I wish someone would treat me to a makeover! I work 40-50 hours a week to support my family, no one has ever come up to me and said, “you work hard, you go to work every day in order to not be a burden on society, you pay taxes, we believe that you DESERVE a makeover”…no such luck !

 CBC Reader Comment:

Don’t they realize they are just helping these women make more money than if they still looked bad. A 20 dollar proposition becomes 30 or 40. It does, however, help the local dollar pizza shops make more money too. And they buy groceries to make their pizza so that helps people be fed.
For those who many not understand our program, I invite you to contact us as we would be more than happy to share how Beauty Night builds community and how it impacts the lives of our participants, our volunteers, supporters, and community partners.  Many of our volunteers and supporters have posted their comments directly on the site or on my facebook page. Here are some of the responses:

Marina S, Beauty Night Volunteer

I am a volunteer with Beauty Night. I’m speaking only for myself here (not commenting on behalf of Beauty Night).

For those who seem to misunderstand the organization’s purpose, I can tell you that the makeup applications, facials, manicures etc…are wonderful but they are really just a catalyst for the sense of camaraderie and joy that happens at Beauty Nights. As we volunteers give services, we all relax and chat with the women about men, kids, family and life in that comfortable way that women do together. That sense of belonging and the ability to relax together and let go of the ‘daily grind’ for a while in a safe place is something I know I need in my life. If my daily grind included extreme poverty and all the issues that go with that I would need this kind of thing even more.

There are many organizations and amazing individuals in the DTES fighting for affordable housing and human rights. Beauty Night takes care of a very specific part of the healing: Offering a place of respite and friendship (and pampering!) for women.

Stacey, supporter, past volunteer

I once lived in Vancouver and helped out with Beauty Night Society & it was something I’ll never forget….I want to thank you for that opportunity! I think you have an amazing heart for what you have started & am happy to hear it is going 11 years strong!!!

Kim, supporter and past volunteer

Its just shocking to read negative comments on such an amazingly wonderful program – just sad that some people cant see the beauty in giving to others.

Chris L, supporter

Great piece on CBC. Some silly comments tho. You’re giving dignity, that’s important. Merry Christmas.

It was the first time since 2002 that we have had negative comments about offering makeovers to women living in poverty. In 2002, here are some of the responses.

According to Dr. Karen Stancer, the physician coordinator of the Women¹s Initiative at the Downtown Community Health Center:

“Every Tuesday night is Women¹s Night.  The purpose is to provide a safe environment where women in the community can access health care.  As you know, many of the women are socially isolated and face multiple other life barriers such as addiction, homelessness, and poverty.  In the waiting room, a (donated) minimal hot meal is served, after which an (donated) activity is offered such as raffles, games, yoga, meditation, health forum, movie, etc.
Several times, I have asked Caroline MacGillivray to put on a Beauty Night.  On a routine Tuesday evening approximately thirty women come to the clinic, whereas on Beauty Night we have had one hundred and fifty women.  The response would seem to show the women of the community want Beauty Night.
How do I interpret the numbers? As a physician, I have always been impressed by how much an individual¹s spirit affects their health.  On Beauty Night, the women enjoy themselves without anything being asked in return.”

According to Mary Wreglesworth, President and Volunteer Co-ordinator of WISH (Women’s Information Safe House):

“Ms. MacGillivray and her volunteers offer their services in conjunction with those agencies in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside that do, in fact, offer emotional support, hot meals, pre-employment training programs, health care, and shelter from the streets. The fact that not only WISH Drop-In Centre embraces Beauty Night but also agencies like the Downtown Eastside Community Health Clinic, DTES Women’s Centre, Carnegie Centre, Positive Women’s Network, Dr. Peter’s Centre, and Union Gospel Mission – to name just a few – speak volumes on the benefits offered by this wonderful organization.

It should also be noted that it was WISH who nominated Caroline MacGillivray for Flare Magazine’s Volunteer of the Year Award; we feel that Flare should be commended for its wise choice in presenting her with this honour.”

Thank you so much to all that support and work with us to build a healthy community. I will continue to share your thoughts and comments on our site. In closing of this post, here is one of the testimonies on the CBC site.

According to Annie B, one of our Beauty Night Volunteers:

I am a volunteer with Beauty Night I go twice a week every week to help out in whatever capacity I can, and I can tell you it is the most worthwhile thing I have ever done. These ladies are funny, great spirited and wonderful, they are not only my clients they are my friends and I look forward to seeing them each and every week.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to not only feel beautiful and respected but also to have a laugh a resource to make new friends and enjoy themselves as we are all entitled to do. I personally know that there is no better way I could spend my time and being with these ladies for two evenings a week is worth more to me than anything.

I don’t understand why anyone would begrudge these services however I would suggest that if you do perhaps you take a step outside your own box and do something worthwhile for someone else and see how quickly your own preconceived notions of who deserves to get what diminishes.