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Day 316: Do Volunteers Really Change a Life?

2 Dedicated Volunteers for Beauty Night = Change a life

I never knew how volunteering could truly impact another person until I spent a night at the Beauty Night Society. It was an evening of giving I will always remember. I was assisting a women that truly needed some support in her life and she looked me right in the eye and told me I had changed her life.

Day 316: Give 316 

“Building hope & trust for women living in poverty & isolation.”

I was introduced to the Beauty Night Society through 365give. Executive Director Caroline MacGillivray wrote a guest post on Day 161 that started like this:

“I change, I change the world”

I had asked Caroline to write a guest post on how she gives back in her own life. All Caroline had to say was “I give to Beauty Night every day.” She does more in one day through her work to change the world than many of us do in a lifetime.

Their mission is remarkable: They are changing the world one make-over at a time. They are helping women who are facing many challenges in their life feel good about themselves again. They are bring back the confidence and dignity they have lost through poverty, abuse, addictions and so many other challenges that women on the East side of Vancouver face every day.

When I arrived at Beauty Night the first thing that caught my attention were the dedicated volunteers. I was the only new person in the room but the rest of the volunteers (about 10) had been coming for months and years to support this worthy cause. They all returned for the same reason – it was so rewarding to help the women that use the services at Beauty Night.

At 6:15 the doors opened to Beauty Night and the room instantly filled with women. The volunteers were ready at their station to provide services that focused on helping make the guests feel good. Here are the services that were provided the night I volunteered. It was like a full service spa!

Manicure
One of the Manicures I completed while Volunteering

Pedicure
Hair Cut
Make-up
Message
Acupuncture
Yoga

My first guest had never had a manicure up until a week ago and was so excited to be back to get freshened up. She was very cautious about all the services as they were new to her world but after a long chat and a little encouragement she spent the evening going from a manicure to a pedicure and finished her makeover off with a haircut – all done by volunteers.

Very few of the volunteers were professionals at this type of work but we were all there for one purpose. To give these women one night of dignity, one night of respect and one night of kindness. Laughter filled the room and you knew together we were doing something really wonderful.

If you live in the Vancouver are and would like to volunteer or support the Beauty Night Society  please contact them today. They are in need of supplies and products to keep their good work going and a helping hand is always welcome.

Volunteering does change lives.

Time Commitment: 3 hours

Cost: 0 Volunteering is free!

What people are saying about 365give

“I wanted to express my gratitude for the teaching you provided today. Your message was delivered eloquently, compassionately, and without judgment. The kids were engaged, and now have knowledge with which they can change the world. We all appreciated how you took the time to help us learn to build positive mindsets and practice happiness.”
Shelley Gardner, Grade 6 Ridgeview Elementary (West Vancouver)
“Actions really do speak louder than words, which is why I believe the 365give Challenge has resonated throughout my community. Every give we do is so important to us and leaves us happier and appreciating our lives a little bit more than before.”
Mahina Niyozova (Tajikistan)
“After watching the 365give TEDx Talk, I was inspired to join and begin a daily giving program in India. Today, along with 12 other volunteer women, we provide 100 meals to local underprivileged children in Bangalore for school every day.”
Deepika Ahuja, Mom (Bangalore, India)
“My life has greater meaning now.”
Renate Jorge, @BeKindBrazil and 365give Member, Family Program (Brazil)
“I just wanted to share that 365give really helped me. I am a better person now, thank you.”
MayLee, 365give Member, Individual Program
“This 365give Challenge has really injected excitement and extra enthusiasm in each work day as I think about what we can do. It has motivated me and the students.”
Cristina Peters, School Counselor (New York City, USA)
“I have seen a huge shift in energy throughout my classroom since doing the 365give Challenge. The Challenge has empowered my students to make a positive difference in the school’s community and beyond.”
Cella Adriana, Special Needs Educator /The Holliswood School (New York City, USA)
“The 365give Challenge helps students understand their impact on others. It opens avenues for introducing and discussing global and local issues in classrooms. It is powerful to watch students of all ages think about how they can make a change in another person’s life with one small act.”
Jessica Hall, Primary Teacher, French Immersion at École Pauline Johnson (West Vancouver, Canada)