More than just a haircut: Beauty Nights charity celebrates sweet sixteen

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – When women and men sit down in the barber chair at a Beauty Nights’ event, they’re getting more than just a haircut or shave.

For 16 years, the Downtown Eastside charity has provided mini-makeovers to the area’s low-income residents and victims of violence, and according to founder Caroline Macgillivray, the outer changes help fuel inner growth.

“One out of three woman, one out of six men have experienced negative touch, usually physical or sexual violence, before the age of 18 and we use the beauty services as a way to reintroduce healthy touch,” she says, adding victims of violence also reclaim a sense of community.

“People feel isolated because of what they’ve experienced. They blame themselves. Being able to create a community where people feel accepted and welcome is really important and it’s a great way to connect them to other services that provide things like food, shelter, and counselling.”

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What started as haircuts and manicures for sex trade survivors has since expanded to massages, foot care and even acupuncture for a wide variety of clients.

“We’re finding more seniors and people with disabilities who sometimes have ended up in the Downtown Eastside because of different types of illnesses,” Macgillivray says. “Sometimes they feel invisible and being actually able to see someone and treat them with that respect and dignity is so important.”

The events are hosted throughout the city, with a list of posted on the group’s webpage.

Beauty Nights plans to expand into Surrey in 2017, but Macgillivray says they don’t have any special plans to mark their 16th anniversary.

“We think of our anniversary where it should be 365 days a year,” she says. “So we should be constantly finding reasons to celebrate in life.”

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