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.

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.

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!

Here are the details:

Vancouver, BC…Robert Held Art Glass is pleased to announce their annual Sale & Gala Event, November 20th from 5pm – 9pm.  Get into the holiday spirit early with this festive annual holiday Sale and Gala Event. This amazing collective will not only feature some of the work by BC’s best talents, but will provide the opportunity to shake hands with the artists themselves, including Robert Held, Richard Scheib, Katy Pattison, Jeremy Day Morris, Melanie Rowe, Lynne Chapelle, Joanne Andrighetti, and many more. The artists will entertain with beadwork demonstrations, glass demonstrations, create a collaborative holiday piece as well as have their popular ‘cooking with glass’ showcase with some tantalizing treats for our guests. While nibbling on the glass cooked food or sipping on the fine wine, you can also peruse the gallery and find some fantastic deals for your holiday shopping. With up to 50% off Robert Held Glass, a wide selection of jewellery, glass sculptures, beads, and fused glass work, you’re sure to fill your stockings!

The artists will also be providing pieces to be auctioned off for Beauty Night Society. Beauty Night provides marginalized women and youth tools to change their lives and heal themselves and their communities. Beauty Night National Executive Director & Founder, Caroline MacGillivray will chat about the what Beauty Night Society does and why. After that Robert Held will create a piece on site and auction it off to raise funds for Beauty Night Society. The Gala event is open to the public and the Pre-holiday sale continues all week from November 21 – 28, 10am – 6pm so come down to get the fires burning.

After the event, Beauty Night volunteers will be escorting Beauty Night participants to see tonight’s performance of Demon Voice. More details to come about the world premiere of Shawn McDonald’s play… tomorrow.

Tomorrow is the Models of Inspiration Filmathon you can read about here. We are very excited to be education and empowering some of our participants through this Filmathon.

Sunday we have a Knit Fit event at Brittania from 1-3pm. There is also a stocking cutting session at Nancy Black’s house in the afternoon, and a volunteer orientation from 4:30-6:30 as well. Please email info@beautynight.org for more information.

Monday is the Beautilicous Halloween Event, with face painting, halloween make up, manicures and a photoshoot!

(art work by the very talented Tiffany Telford)

Tuesday we have the Mom and Tot Halloween Festivities, with pumpkin seed roasting, pumpkin carving, face painting and the start of our Mom and Tot cooking series.

The next 4 days are filled with fun and exciting programming. If you want to help, email info@beautynight.com and we will find a fit for you!

Have a great weekend everyone

Beauty Night Society’s Katie Mogan was dubbed The Style Spy’s Girl of the Week.  Katie is noted for her volunteer endeavours and her sense of fashion.

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

Thank you Miss 604.

Obviously, the Bay had.  This popular fundraiser has charities across the country selling the 15% off coupons for $5.  The proceeds raised from the coupon sales goes directly to the charity. Volunteers from different charities will be selling the certificates to friends, families and supporters. “It is win/win all the way,” says MacGillivray, “The charity raises funds while the coupon purchasers save on in store purchases.”

To purchase the $5 coupons, please email Caroline at carolinem@beautynight.org.