On Dec. 5, students in NC’s Hairstyling and Photography programs brought their tool to bear for a good cause at the Niagara Health System’s Welland Site. Over 110 residents in the site’s Extended Care Unit received a full hairstyle and makeup before being professionally photographed for custom Christmas cards that the unit’s staff creates for family members.
Larysa Hill-Taylor was one of ten Hairstyling students who participated. “It’s a good environment, I really feel like I’m giving back,” she said while applying makeup to one of the residents.
“It’s great for the students to see first-hand the difference they can make in their community,” said Renee Bernard, Hairstyling Technologist. “We’re always giving back to the community as hairstylists, so it’s a unique opportunity for them to make people happy, and make them feel good about themselves.”
With hair and makeup complete, the residents headed down the hall to where Photography students Tanya Currie and Leann Fang had created a mobile portrait studio. The completed portraits are then used by the Extended Care Unit’s staff, who create holiday cards that are sent to each resident’s loves ones, an annual tradition in the unit.
“For all the residents, having their hair, makeup and photos done, just having that level of attention on them is just a wonderful moment for them,” said Lezlie Leduc, programs and services manager with the NHS Welland Site’s Extended Care Unit. Leduc pioneered the partnership with the college in 2018, when she had the idea of inviting the college’s Hairstyling program to participate. “They jumped on the idea and loved it. This year we thought of adding the Photography student as well.”
