As Our Place Society tries to bring back some of the programming and events they held before the pandemic shut down social activities, a fan favourite is returning this Valentine’s Day.
Beauty Day was held for a number of years, but it’s been on a pandemic-induced hiatus since 2019 until this year.
It started when a former client at Our Place decided she wanted to do something nice for the women who use their services. She brought the idea to Grant McKenzie, Communications Director for Our Place Society.
“It was originally by Erin, who is one of our volunteers and is very passionate,” McKenzie told Victoria Buzz. “She had come up with this idea of a special way to treat women.”
“[Erin] will be volunteering again and she will be there on the date to help organize it.”
Women and those identifying as women who go to Beauty Day at Our Place Society this year will get a trim from a stylist from Victoria’s Natural Hair Salon, as well as a goodie bag of pampering products.
For those who are clients of Our Place Society, physical appearance isn’t always a priority, but this event is meant to remind the women who are facing tough times that they are beautiful and they deserve to feel that way.
“Every year it got bigger and bigger, pre-COVID we were up to like, 50 or 60 women coming through,” said McKenzie.
McKenzie explained that with more of their former clients who may have attended Beauty Days in the past being housed by BC Housing and the City of Victoria’s hotels, he isn’t sure how many women will come by this year’s event.
“We’re not sure what the numbers are this year but we’re planning for anywhere from 20 to 60 women.”
“We never quite know, we’re always prepared for if more people show up.”
Our Place Society also has a good relationship with Victory Barbers, who come by their Pandora Street location to provide cuts, trims and shaves for community members frequently.
“They’ve been big supporters of ours for years now,” McKenzie said. “They come in once a month and volunteer to do haircuts for everybody and that’s been really fantastic.”
McKenzie isn’t sure if it will be relaunched this year or not but he said he plans on bringing back ‘Handsome Day’ sometime around Father’s Day so the men who use their services get a day to feel pampered and special as well.
