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Beautilicious News June 21 -28th

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 info@beautynight.org 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.

Beauty Night Turns 9!

“I think everyone wants to make a difference in someone’s life,” explains Beauty Night national executive director, Caroline MacGillivray, in her typical upbeat manner. Nine years ago, while volunteering at the WISH Drop In centre, Caroline dreamt up a unique way to make a difference in the lives of marginalized women in Vancouver’s eastside: Stage an event offering free makeovers for the holiday season.

A lofty plan with one major drawback. “I thought it would cost tons of money,” says MacGillivray. Never underestimate the power of the human spirit. Caroline put the word out to everyone on her email list. Volunteers began signing up—including students from Blanche Macdonald and the London School of Hairdressing and Aesthetics. Caroline’s home made posters advertised the event and within weeks, the first Beauty Night became a reality.

“The women were really excited,” says MacGillivray. What made Beauty Night an instant hit went far beyond haircuts, cosmetics and massages. The eastside women were given something they had rarely experienced—respect and dignity. “What we do is health care, fostering self-esteem,” explains MacGillivray. “When you believe in yourself, you’re more able to change.”

The women began asking for more Beauty Nights—and Caroline and the volunteers happily obliged. Beauty Night became a monthly event. MacGillivray created an eight week personal development program, including nutrition and fitness. Beauty Night started winning volunteer awards and now has weekly makeovers, fitness and yoga programs, and other events at the PHS Life Skills Centre. Since inception, the non-profit, volunteer run program has provided more than 11,000 makeovers to marginalized women in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto. Beauty Night is also creating more opportunities for the women to empower themselves. 20% of the Monday makeover clients have become Beauty Night volunteers.

On December 14th, Beauty Night turns 9, celebrating another noteworthy year. MacGillivray won the gold community spirit award at the Celebrating Women and the Spirit of the Cranes banquet. Katie Benjamin, a long-time Beauty Night volunteer, won a YWCA Young Woman of Distinction award for creating Womyns Gym, which are Beauty Night fitness programs sponsored through Telus.

December 14th is also the 7th anniversary of Beauty Night’s Stocking Drive. Spearheaded by Stocking Coordinator, Blair Lockhart, Product Coordinator, Revel Kunz, and Stockings Designer, Nancy Black, literally thousands of volunteers of all ages are involved. High School students from York House, Churchill Secondary, Prince of Wales, Van Tech and many more, local designers, and Kwantlen college fashion department students sew the stockings. Sparks, Brownies & Girl Guides decorate the stockings.

Thera Wise, BC Hydro, Carrie Wheeler Talent Management, and Blanche McDonald have been collecting donations of skin care, makeup, nail, dental, body, and hair care products to fill the stockings. Donations also include gloves and toques.

The December 14th festivities will also include Knit Fit, providing hand made scarves for Beauty Night clients. Founded six years ago by Laura Mah at the tender age of 11, Knit Fit volunteers include students from Chief Maquinna Elementary School, Templeton High School, Vancouver Technical Secondary School and Britannia Secondary School.

The stockings will be handed out to Beauty Night clients by some special holiday guests, Mrs. Claus and her elves. Laura and her KnitFit cohorts will also be making spirits bright by presenting scarves to the guests. Stockings will also be handed out at other events leading up to Christmas Eve.

Looking ahead, the New Year will ring in a brand new Beauty Night initiative. Inner Beauty Boot Camp will introduce self-care to Beauty Night clients and give them the the tools they need to continue their education, or find new employment opportunities. “It is amazing how far we have come,” says MacGillivray.

Beauty Night’s 7th annual stocking drive will be accepting donations, new hair, skincare, dental care, gloves and socks up until December 14th. For more information about donating product, snacks, money, or become a Beauty Night volunteer, please visit beautynight.org or contact Caroline MacGillivray at 778-885-4526.

Beauty Night Turns 9!

Date: Monday, December 14, 2009, 6 – 8:30pm
Location: PHS Life Skills Centre at 412 East Cordova

“I think everyone wants to make a difference in someone’s life,” explains Beauty Night national executive director, Caroline MacGillivray, in her typical upbeat manner. Nine years ago, while volunteering at the WISH Drop In centre, Caroline dreamt up a unique way to make a difference in the lives of marginalized women in Vancouver’s eastside: Stage an event offering free makeovers for the holiday season.

A lofty plan with one major drawback. “I thought it would cost tons of money,” says MacGillivray. Never underestimate the power of the human spirit. Caroline put the word out to everyone on her email list. Volunteers began signing up—including students from Blanche Macdonald and the London School of Hairdressing and Aesthetics. Caroline’s home made posters advertised the event and within weeks, the first Beauty Night became a reality.

“The women were really excited,” says MacGillivray. What made Beauty Night an instant hit went far beyond haircuts, cosmetics and massages. The eastside women were given something they had rarely experienced—respect and dignity. “What we do is health care, fostering self-esteem,” explains MacGillivray. “When you believe in yourself, you’re more able to change.”

The women began asking for more Beauty Nights—and Caroline and the volunteers happily obliged. Beauty Night became a monthly event. MacGillivray created an eight week personal development program, including nutrition and fitness. Beauty Night started winning volunteer awards and now has weekly makeovers, fitness and yoga programs, and other events at the PHS Life Skills Centre. Since inception, the non-profit, volunteer run program has provided more than 11,000 makeovers to marginalized women in Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto. Beauty Night is also creating more opportunities for the women to empower themselves. 20% of the Monday makeover clients have become Beauty Night volunteers.

On December 14th, Beauty Night turns 9, celebrating another noteworthy year. MacGillivray won the gold community spirit award at the Celebrating Women and the Spirit of the Cranes banquet. Katie Benjamin, a long-time Beauty Night volunteer, won a YWCA Young Woman of Distinction award for creating Womyns Gym, which are Beauty Night fitness programs sponsored through Telus.

December 14th is also the 7th anniversary of Beauty Night’s Stocking Drive. Spearheaded by Stocking Coordinator, Blair Lockhart, Product Coordinator, Revel Kunz, and Stockings Designer, Nancy Black, literally thousands of volunteers of all ages are involved. High School students from York House, Churchill Secondary, Prince of Wales, Van Tech and many more, local designers, and Kwantlen college fashion department students sew the stockings. Sparks, Brownies & Girl Guides decorate the stockings.

Thera Wise, BC Hydro, Carrie Wheeler Talent Management, and Blanche McDonald have been collecting donations of skin care, makeup, nail, dental, body, and hair care products to fill the stockings. Donations also include gloves and toques.

The December 14th festivities will also include Knit Fit, providing hand made scarves for Beauty Night clients. Founded six years ago by Laura Mah at the tender age of 11, Knit Fit volunteers include students from Chief Maquinna Elementary School, Templeton High School, Vancouver Technical Secondary School and Britannia Secondary School.

The stockings will be handed out to Beauty Night clients by some special holiday guests, Mrs. Claus and her elves. Laura and her KnitFit cohorts will also be making spirits bright by presenting scarves to the guests. Stockings will also be handed out at other events leading up to Christmas Eve.

Looking ahead, the New Year will ring in a brand new Beauty Night initiative. Inner Beauty Boot Camp will introduce self-care to Beauty Night clients and give them the the tools they need to continue their education, or find new employment opportunities. “It is amazing how far we have come,” says MacGillivray.

Beauty Night’s 7th annual stocking drive will be accepting donations, new hair, skincare, dental care, gloves and socks up until December 14th. For more information about donating product, snacks, money, or become a Beauty Night volunteer, please visit beautynight.org or contact Caroline MacGillivray at 778-885-4526.

Beauty Night News: Caroline in Toronto

From Caroline MacGillivray:

Beauty Night Founder, Caroline MacGillivray meets and greets Toronto Volunteers

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

Caroline Chats to Miss 604 about Beauty Night

One of Vancouver’s most popular voices in the blogging community took a few minutes to interview Beauty Night Founder and President, Caroline MacGillivray.

http://www.miss604.com/2009/01/beauty-night-vancouver-an-interview-with-caroline.html

Thank you Miss 604.