Beauty Night Society » telus

Womyns Gym Year in Review

caroline — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:51:49 +0000

Beauty Night Society’s fitness program, ‘Womyns Gym’, has just wrapped up it’s 10-week program for the 2009 season. The sessions ran twice a week every week from September to December. It required a heavy commitment by our clients and trainers, and we managed to find the perfect group. Although our number of participants varied in the initial few weeks, we were able to finish our sessions with 5 very committed and enthusiastic women.

A few changes were made to increase participant’s satisfaction as well as to increase adherence to the program. With the help of our up beat trainers we ran a circuit style workout. Circuit style allowed each trainer to teach 2 or 3 specific exercises to every client while still maintaining a one-on-one relationship. Based on the laughter, smiles and encouraging slogans being heard throughout the gym it was obvious this was a successful change.

Another great addition to Womyns Gym was the childcare we offered to our participants. Not only did this increase the accessibility and adherence to the program, it also introduced the children to a healthy lifestyle at a young age. Fostering an interest in exercise is extremely valuable and helps make it a natural occurrence in their lives as they grow up. As it turns out, the kids loved playing with all the exercise equipment and were frequently trying to mimic the exercises ‘Mommy’ was doing. This reminded us that exercise can and is meant to be fun – maybe we should think of it more as adult play time?!

As I reflect on the past sessions of Womyns gym, I am reminded of one workout that was particularly enjoyable. The trainers decided to surprise the clients with a themed workout… Retro Style! All the trainers brought out their neons, spandex, headbands and leg warmers for a jane fonda inspired workout session. The music consisted mostly of Madonna, David Bowie, Donna Summers and Billy Idol to name a few. Everyone’s heart rates were high and faces flushed as we danced around between exercises – I think it may have been the hardest workout, and yet it was an absolute blast!!

After the Christmas season Womyns Gym will resume it’s programming, however the sessions will most likely be in a drop-in format to start. Our current participants as well as our wait –listed clients are eagerly awaiting our January start date. As the program coordinator, my Christmas wish list is to recruit 10 women to workout twice a week and to have everyone complete the Vancouver 2010 Sun Run!

Womyns Gym is only possible with hardworking and enthusiastic trainers who create a fun, invigorating atmosphere to workout in, as well as inspired and enthusiastic participants, so thank you to all who were a part of Womyns Gym 2009! Also a huge thank you to Telus for allowing us to create a sustainable program that provides quality training.

Thank you everyone and have a fit and fantastic New Year!

- Tyla Flexman, Womyn’s Gym Program Coordinator

Telus Community Giving

caroline — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Last year, Katie Benjamin the founder of our Womyn’s Gym program received $10 000 from Telus to make Womyn’s Gym a reality. Last night Telus Community Giving Board held a celebration welcoming their community partners and donors. Since Katie is at the University of Economics, I went in her stead.

It was an inspiring evening mixing with people from different organizations supported through the Telus Community Giving. I enjoyed hearing the stories about how Telus has made an impact through supporting different organziations and in turn shared our story.

Womyn’s Gym which is one of the programs under the Beauty Night Society umbrella was supported tremendously through Telus Community Giving Board. Katie thanked Telus during her acceptance speech when she became the recipient of the 2009 YWCA Young Woman of Distinction Recipient.

Caroline MacGillivray with Telus’ Glenn Brooks at the Burn’s Bogg Spirit of the Crane Awards where she became the 2009 recipient for

the Gold Community Spirit Award

Emceed by Bard on the Beach’s Artistic Director, Christopher Gaze, the evening got off to a roaring start. Gaze pointed out that it was important to support a corporation that gives so much back to our communities. With humour, Telus President and CEO, Darren Entwistle and Chair of Telus Community board, Nini Baird told the their engaged listeners how Telus is increasing the funds that they will be reinvesting in the community. It was inspiring and exciting to hear a corporation that encourages its employees to volunteer and give back increase their efforts. Perhaps Telus has a message for all of us – to keep working toward making a difference in the lives of others by being proactive and to continually raise the bar.

Beauty Night News: Caroline in Toronto

Caroline — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:58:45 +0000

From Caroline MacGillivray:

Beauty Night Founder, Caroline MacGillivray meets and greets Toronto Volunteers

Although we have been running the makeover program in Toronto for over 6 years, many people are surprised to hear about it. Ann Roche, who ran the Toronto programming resigned in December. It is going to be difficult to replace Ann. She has been a wonderful asset to Beauty Night.

I am in Toronto until April 8th looking for facilitators to run two makeover programs each month. I can be reached at 647-995-4526.

We are also looking for storage space for our supplies that have been stored at CAMH. CAMH is renovating their space and we are looking for new storage space in the downtown Toronto area. Please let us know if you know anyone who might be willing to donate space.

The Toronto events this week are:

Saturday, April 4th
Massage by donation
Aradia Fitness Toronto
721 Queen Street West
2-4pm
Females only
* I am still looking for volunteers for this event

Sunday, April 5th
CAMH
1pm Moving our supplies from one space to another
* CAMH has generously donated space for our storage and drop off location for supplies. We will be sorting and dropping off donations to other organizations that might need it. We will also be sorting through supplies that are older and need to find homes.

Monday, April 6th
Volunteer orientation
6pm
Starbucks Chapters.
We will be meeting at the Starbucks in Chapters at the corner of John and Queen Street West. If you have friends that might be interested in volunteering, please have them email or facebook me.

Although I am in Toronto working on Toronto Beauty Night, things are still active in Vancouver. Katie Benjamin and Tiffany Telford are running the makeover events in my absence. These two dynamic volunteers are busy in their own right.

Tiffany spearheaded the Xmas Beauty Night in Prince George and runs the monthly Beauty Nights in Coquitlam and at the Health Contact Centre. This month, she will be running the makeover program with CHIUS (community health initiative by university students) at Urban Native Youth Association. For these events, we are still looking for volunteers. Please facebook or text me if you are able to attend.

Wednesday, April 1
Health Contact Centre 6-9pm
166 East Hastings Street

Thursday, April 2
Kinsman Hall (Partnering with Soroptimists)
Port Coquitlam
6-8pm
The address for Kinsman Hall is 2175 Coquitlam Ave, Port Coquitlam, built in Aggie Park. The map is on the link below, and your team of volunteers may want to get the directions from the link.

http://maps.google.com/?q=2175%20Coquitlam%20Avenue%2C%20Port%20Coquitlam%2C%20BC.

Wednesday, April 8th
UNYA * please email for addresss
6-8pm

Katie Benjamin, a long time volunteer for Beauty Night has created her own initiative, Womyn’s Gym. Funded through Telus, Womyn’s Gym creates one on one personal training opportunities for Beauty Night clients. Together with Tyla Flexman and Miranda Landry, Katie has been training kinesiologist students to work with our clients. This initiative is in it’s third week. Goal setting, nutrition and fitness are key components of this wonderful program that runs on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

We are looking for child minding volunteers for the participants children. Alexa Fox has been coordinating the child care. We are in need of volunteers that have their criminal records check, extended first aid, current CPR, and enjoy working with children. Early childhood education is a huge asset.

We are also looking for green space in the Downtown Eastside to start a gardening project. We have had a donor offer donate apple and fig trees to this project. We just need somewhere to plant them. I am hoping this project will harvest food for our nutrition and fitness programs as well as a strong sense of community for the women. Perhaps if this happens before summer, we will be able to move our yoga classes under the shade of the trees.

On April 14th, we are adding our Chillaxing Wellness Nights to our existing programming. We will have a foot care clinic (pedicures) run by health care students and professionals; reiki, massage and reflexology. We are looking for more volunteers for this program. Orientation will be April 13th (Easter Monday). If you are a current volunteer, just let me know your availability.
The night will run in conjunction with our yoga classes, womyn’s gym, child care and women’s writing group that run on the Tuesday evenings. Thera Wise has donated product for our foot clinic and Sage has donated products for the relaxation services.

Thank you for everything that you do.

Sincerely,

Caroline
778-885-4526
647-995-4526