WESTFIELD — GlamourGals Foundation, Inc. organizes teens willing to volunteer their time to bring glamour to residents in senior-home settings, among them Second Westfield Senior Citizens Housing (SWSCH) in Westfield.
Currently, GlamourGals has 100 chapters across the country, including Union County. “Our program impacts two generations. Elderly residents in care feel a renewed sense of community and self-worth. Teen volunteers gain essential leadership skills demonstrating empathy and compassion through our intergenerational programming,” according to the Foundation’s website.
GlamourGals teens visited Second Westfield Senior Citizens Housing on June 11 and gave free manicures to the seniors. The young volunteers included Chapter Coordinator Zara Zhao and Evelyn Yuan, from the Union County Magnate High School in Scotch Plains, along with Sparsha Shetti from Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School in Springfield.
“I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to interact with such amazing seniors and to see them come back each makeover,” Zara commented. “I’ve learned so much about intergenerational bonds, and it’s immensely rewarding to see our seniors happy from a simple act like getting a manicure. It is in these moments where I understand the importance of connecting with others, not just inside but outside of my generation.”
The experience is “a wonderful opportunity to share stories and just have a fun time,” according to SWSCH Executive Director Liz Fennik. “We couldn’t be happier that GlamourGals has chosen Second Westfield Senior Citizens Housing to provide such wonderful makeovers and manicures to our residents,” Ms. Fennik said. “We are very thankful for their time, talents, and the joy that their interaction brings to the residents.”
Before Covid, the Marsh & McLennan Agency visited the seniors as the GlamourGals Union County chapter. The senior citizens at SWSCH are very appreciative of the time these professionals gave in bringing glamour and heartfelt conversations to them.
Second Westfield Senior Citizens Housing, located at 1129 Boynton Avenue, Westfield, opened in October, 1995. The building is a threestoried, elevator-equipped building for low-income senior citizens. It is designed specifically for seniors, and meets all of the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
