The experiences of the first few years of life set the stage for how capable our immune systems are, how we cope with stress and even our ability to find meaning-worth, in our lives. Research that has emerged in psychophysical therapy and within Laban Movement Analysis supports “the interrelationships of anatomical functioning, personal feeling …and also with the awareness that movement both initiates and changes emotional feelings and about how we think…”[1] When the experiences of everyday life continue to be a place of struggle as well as living in poverty, where do you turn and who can you trust in a world that has placed you in a category that has no formal affiliation, but is set firmly at the margins of social welfare and wellness?

I had a first hand opportunity to join Caroline’s team of volunteers this Tuesday. Amongst the various services provided such as a hot meal, massage and beauty there was an area at the far end of the room designated for dancing. Music wafted from the boom box that rested on a worn piano. My favorite CD was No Doubt and later, some garage rock. The energy in the room was decidedly enthusiastic.  There were smiles as the women were pampered and especially once I introduced myself. I teach pilates in Vancouver to a diverse group of people who can afford to willingly pay to be lead through a series of movements designed to help re-align the spine and correct poor movement patterns.  This was a far cry from the usual demographic that I cater to.  There is no lush flooring to sprawl on or high-end equipment on which to prop ourselves. My role was simply to invite some of the women up to move and dance to the music.  Our goal was to offer the opportunity to move-without judgment and without set standards or expectations. What I saw was a very open group, and an accepting cohort of women.  While I was unable to get everyone in the room to join the dancers at the front of the room, I noticed from those that were dancing, pure delight. There were many who, for personal reasons, did not get up and dance.  One woman expressed how absurd it would be to get up and dance after the day she had had.  After further inquiry she revealed to just having quit drugs.

When I think of connection in the body as I teach I am considering an individual’s relationship within and to her or himself. “To connect is to link, to establish communication… to associate mentally or emotionally”[2].  Considering the daily struggles these women experience that I take for granted, and the necessity of dis- associating oneself from inner/outer in order to survive, it is painfully obvious why so few feel compelled to join our group.   Beauty Night is about offering a safe place where even the most seemingly frivolous approach to wellness is imagined and available. Perhaps my friend may not find it absurd to dance once she has successfully gotten through the hours that lead to another day without drugs. If she is not successful, I will still be there next week offering a safe space in which to move.

Last night dressed as elves,
we dropped by Wish, Serena’s place and Woodwards.
With gift bags and stockings
we handed out door to door.

My thought’s from the end of last night:
“Sad tales heard tonight
In some cases Xmas stockings
Brought great delight.
Joy to all of the women we saw tonight
Dealing with homelessness,
… Addiction, mental ill health
Poverty, violence and strife.
Glad we were able to share
A little Xmas delight.”

Happy 11 years to all of our supporters, participants, volunteers and corporate and community partners! Thanks for making it possible for 11 years, 16 000 makeovers!

Students from White Rock Elementary School
these “reindeer” were
Who decorated hundreds of stockings
with ribbon, bows & “fur”.

Seeing the stockings from decorating stage
to handing out stuffed stockings to the women gave
these mighty reindeer such joy
as they handed out stocking after stocking full oh boy.

12 year old girls learning the gift of the give
changes the flavour of Christmas into the days we live.
365 days a year kindness we can offer
and help all of us prosper.

With love and abundance comes hope.
Warm emotion fills us to the point we choke
back tears of joy
as we realize change is a choice for you & I.

Gearing up for the new year
Girls and women were full of hope
Changing the world hand in hand.
Expanding our programs to Surrey is part of our plan.

Happy Birthday Beauty Night!!!
11 years, 16 000 makeovers thanks to 500 volunteers!

Unclutter your life, hold a garage sale and donate proceeds to our cause. Photo by Chris Vergara

Change the World by Letting Go of Clutter

Who do you know who needs to unclutter their life and change the world? Since spring arrived late in Vancouver, it isn’t too late for spring cleaning. As you gather up clothes, books, house hold appliances to gear up for a garage sale, you can change your world and the world around you at the same time.

Rid yourself of clutter by selling it and donate the proceeds to Beauty Night. We will give you a tax receipt and use the money to build self esteem and change lives for women and youth living in poverty. Change you world & the world around you with one swoop. Don’t you just love win/win situations?

If you would like to have brochures about Beauty Night at your website, contact us at info@beautynight.org subject line garage sale. Donations can be made on this site or via cheque. Thank you for spreading the word about our cause.

According to the facebook fan page:

Metamorphosis means evolution, and Beauty Night Society strives for the same by changing the world, one life-makeover at a time. Be the first one to buy this album by doing so you are taking part in making a huge difference in someone’s life.

Metamorphosis is a compilation CD featuring various Canadian and international artists who contributed songs, including Stef Lang, Lindsay May and Alejandra Huitrón. This compilation spans mixed genres pop, rock, indie and alternative. Proceeds to benefit The Beauty Night Society. Metamorphosis means evolution, and Beauty Night strives for the same by changing the world, one life-makeover at a time. Be the first one to buy this album by doing so you are taking part in making a huge difference in someone’s life.

We are honoured to be supported in this way! To purchase the CD, please visit www.lulu.com/product/cd/metamorphosis/15308846

I Change, I Change The World (IC) is Beauty Night Society’s (BN) first fundraising initiative of 2011.  The IC campaign provides a platform for volunteers, participants, employees and other supporters of BN to create positive change in their lives while raising money for BN.

The campaign start date is March 8, 2011 and end date is April 19, 2011.  Participants in the IC campaign will have 6 weeks in which to affect a change of their choice (like quitting smoking or running 2km without stopping).  Participants utilize Canadahelps.org to create an online pledge page where people can pledge their support for the individual’ personal goal.  Money pledged/raised by each individual will go directly to BN.

Our campaign goal is to raise $100 000. The monies raised will support Beauty Night’s 3 streams of programs: wellness, life skill development and makeovers. Through this initiative we aim to raise money to continue building self esteem and changing lives of women and youth living in poverty. “In the past 10 years, we have given over 11, 000 life-makeovers,” Beauty Night Founder and Executive Director, Caroline MacGillivray explains, “By asking our supporters to make a positive change in their lives and raising money for a cause they believe in, we hope to make a positive impact in the lives of those who support and live in the community. I change, I change the world is a great way to do that.”

When asked if she was going to be participating in IC campaign, MacGillivray smiled and said,”Yes. I decided it was time to get over my fear of running. I stepped out of my heels and into a pair of running shoes. I started my IC goal several weeks ago as I am training for the Vancouver Sun Run. Thanks to my trainer, Laura Fairfield, I managed to run 5k without stopping. So I am half way there.”

Some of our Beauty Night Supporter’s goals include:

Going Vegan
Learning 200 words in sign language
Running the Sun Run

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsB6pB4VuXk[/video]

What started off as a special Christmas make over party, became a way to reintroduce touch to victims of violence. When attendees saw the physical change, they started to believe other types of change were possible. They attended literacy classes to show off their freshly painted nails, visited the health clinics to talk about how good they felt and walked out with an extra bounce in their step.

Working directly with the attendees, helped change the perception of many of our volunteers. One of our volunteers told us, “I go past these women every day on the bus but I don’t see them. Tonight I laughed and hugged so many of them. I can’t go back to not being able to see them.”

Last night we celebrated Beauty Night Society’s 9th birthday in Vancouver & Prince George. In Vancouver, the festivities started off with Christmas caroling. Volunteers, participants & their children sang Christmas tunes while creating Christmas cards. Thanks to accessing karaoke via youtube.com, we were able to get everyone singing and dancing.

Women and children gathered around the table with their children cutting and pasting ribbon to card stock. Womyn’s Gym coordinator, Tyla Flexman helped the women find stickers & pens as they sifted through the mountain of art supplies. Through words and art they found different ways to say thank you on paper. These cards were given to many of our volunteers.

Thanks to sponsorship through Liberty Wines & the the creative genius of Stacey Dallyn, the Beauty Night room was transformed into a winter wonderland. Wood land creatures sat under a White Christmas tree. Decorated in silver and gold, the words Beauty Night leapt out the fluffy snow that coated the walls.

Founding vice president of Beauty Night Society, Carly Teng was on hand as a roaming photographer. Carly captured pictures of the festivities of the evening. When our photography team was stuck in traffic, Carly stepped in and began to snap pictures of the women & Santa Claus.

Beauty Night board member, Dave Dickson’s eyes twinkled like St. Nick as women & children posed with him. Ten year old, Santa Helper, Katie Dalinghaus smiled pretty for the camera as she handed out the Nancy Black designed Xmas stockings to the women and children.

Stuffed to the brim with warm gloves, tooth brushes, dental care products, skin care, hair care, and body care products, the brightly coloured stockings Katie handed to the women. Like the first Beauty Night makeover event, the stockings contents came from stocking drive from individuals, churches, and businesses that wanted to contribute to Beauty Night’s 7th annual Xmas stocking drive. Led by Stocking Coordinator, Blair Lockhart, BC Hydro, TD Canada Trust, Ch2M Hill and Carrie Wheeler Talent Management and many more collected monies and products for us to fill those stockings.

Hundreds of high school students from York House, Little Flower Academy, Prince of Wales Mini School, Van Tech Secondary, Churchill Secondary School, Kwantlan College and many members of our community stitched the stockings. 5 – 7 year olds in sparks & brownie troupes decorated the stockings with their own personal flair.

Photographers Bruce & Sarah Culver set up the shots. Beauty Night volunteers & participants mugged for the camera. In the Beauty Night room, Tiffany Telford led the make over program. Carol Hogan, Ella Bak, Olivia Cammie, Meagan Stowe, Denise Van Gorkom, Margo Dalinghaus, and Amanda offered make up lessons, hair styling, manicures, mini massages and reiki.

Under the guidance of Kids Club coordinators, Alexa Fox and Sophia Hughes, women and children continued to create cards and occasionally break into a game of “jingle” tag.

While all the laughter- filled activity filled the room, Wendy Shuen and her volunteers bustled from room to room offering delectable goodies to the Beauty Night participants & volunteers. Almond cookies, fruit cake and mouth watering capicino chocolate biscuits satisfied our taste buds and our stomachs.

Throughout it all, DJ Joe, Tyla Flexman, Stacey Dallyn, Margo Dalinghaus, and Tiffany Telford bustled around making the event run smoothly.

Before the women headed out the door, Katie Dalinghaus gave them scarves created by Knit Fit Volunteers. Over 300 scarves were created by students from Elementary schools and High School students around the lower mainland. Spearheaded by Knit Fit founder & program coordinator, Laura Mah, hundreds of youth, seniors and children developed leadership skills and created scarves to keep people warm as they headed out into the snow.

In Prince George, our Beauty Night makeover event took place at Elizabeth Fry Society. Belly dance and self defense classes were held while women were offered make up application, hair styling, mini facials, manicures and much more.

Tonight – in Vancouver, we continue our celebrations at BC Women’s Hospital. Tiffany Telford, Ella Bak, Tyla Flexman, Caitlin Naylor and Lindsay McMillian will be handing out Xmas stockings and offering our makeover programming to the women in Fir Square.

As we head towards the end of the year, we have a few more events this week. In Toronto, the Xmas stockings & makeover program runs of December 17th – while Vancouver volunteers and contributors celebrate Beauty Night Society’s 9th Birthday on a Boat.

Beauty on the Boat enbarks at 7pm on December 17th. An evening on the sea with the music of Greg Cockerill and evening jaunt along the Vancouver coast. Tickets are $50 – proceeds to Beauty Night Society. For more information, please call 778-885-4526 or events@beautynight.org.

* For those who still have contributions to give, we are still handing out Xmas stockings and scarves on Xmas eve. Please contact us at info@beautynight.org.