RBR Students Bring Beauty to Seniors in Tinton Falls

Fifteen students from RBR’s newly established GlamourGals chapter recently brought their smiles and makeup kits to beautify seniors at The Chelsea, an assisted living residence in Tinton Falls.

The girls entered the residence and were introduced to their clients one-by-one. An initial awkwardness soon melted into belly laughs and priceless smiles. Long after nails were dried, cheekbones rouged, and lips glistened, conversations between the girls and their elders abounded.

GlamourGals, a nonprofit which organizes teens to provide ongoing complimentary beauty makeovers and companionship to elderly women living in senior homes, established a chapter at RBR this year under the leadership of 16-year-old Lynese Rawlins, an RBR junior class president, cheerleader and Red Bank resident.

Rawlins is a RBR Visual and Performing Arts Academy drama major, and a member of the RBR dance team and fashion club. She also spends her weekends traveling to NYC where she mixes music as a DJ and member of Black Girls Rock, a nonprofit organization that promotes self-esteem and self-worth in black girls 14 to 17-years-old.

Rawlins was introduced to GlamourGals at the nationwide non-for-profit organization at The HOBY (Hugh O’Brien) Leadership Conference, which she attended as RBR’s representative this past summer. A GlamourGals spokesperson was encouraging exceptional young ladies to start GlamourGals chapters in their high schools. Lynese, who loves working with the elderly and all things glamorous, was immediately smitten.

“I believe that GlamourGals bridges the gap between the younger and older generations," said Rawlins. "The younger ladies make the older ones feel beautiful and comfortable. And, if they do not have family close by they let them know that someone really cares.”

GlamourGals' simple premise offers many benefits to both generations of ladies. Young girls have an opportunity to engage in fun and meaningful volunteer service doing something they love, while the elderly ladies enjoy the free service and pleasure of a young person’s company. With repeat visits, real relationships can develop. RBR plans on visiting The Chelsea at least two times a month.

A minimum of ten volunteers was required to establish the club, and Rawlins quickly rounded up about 30 volunteers through texting and her Facebook page.

“Every girl I asked wanted to do it,” Rawlins said.

RBR's chapter was divided into two teams of 15, who will take turns visiting The Chelsea and other senior homes every other week. They are supervised by RBR teacher Yngrid Scanlon. Makeup supplies are provided by the GlamourGals Foundation which receives donations from cosmetic companies.

The first visit went incredibly well. Even some of the male residents got in on the fun and had the ladies give them clear polish manicures.

Elisa Polifka, The Chelsea’s Director of Recreation, is working with Rawlins to connect other GlamourGals chapters to other Chelseas throughout the tri-state area.

“The Glamour Girls brought to The Chelsea not only polished nails and pretty faces, but gave each resident a one-on-one personal experience," said Polifka. "Personal intimacy is a key element in making a senior feel worthwhile and important."

Chelsea residents Joyce Schnoor and Hazel Nooger were very happy to hear that the girls would be returning and that this was not a one-time event.

“The girls brought such smiles to some of these faces. It was really a miracle,” said Nooger.

To learn more about GlamourGals, visit their website at www.glamourgals.org.