West Hempstead GlamourGals and the monthly senior makeover

Community teens primp residents at the Atria

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Each month since September, West Hempstead resident Robin Rodriguez, 16, and roughly a dozen sophomores and juniors from West Hempstead High School venture out to make the worlds of several dozen senior citizens a more beautiful place. They lug makeup bags, facial lotions, manicure tools and supplies, and head to the Atria, a senior residence in Lynbrook, to boost the residents’ spirits with a little personal pampering and a lot of personal attention.

“It’s just nice to talk to them and meet them,” said Rodriguez, reflecting on her experiences with residents of the Atria. “They really make our Sundays.”

Rodriguez is president of the local chapter of GlamourGals, a non-profit comprised of teen and adult volunteers who provide complimentary beauty makeovers to women — and men — in senior homes. The non-profit says it is creating a movement of compassionate people who are working to end elder isolation. “I started GlamourGals in high school in honor of my grandmother who passed away,” said Rachel Doyle, the non-profit’s CEO. “Our first chapter was in Commack.” The organization supplies Rodriguez’s chapter, as well as over 100 chapters in sixteen states, free beauty and manicure supplies to help foster their mission. “Every time we run out of supplies, we put an order in and they send us more,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez became involved in GlamourGals after being chosen to attend a Hugh O’Brien Leadership Conference at Adelphi University last year. She was introduced to a representative from GlamourGals, and after learning more about it, became intrigued. “It was an opportunity to do something I really enjoyed,” said Rodriguez. “I always liked makeup.” The organization provides the girls with everything they need to offer free facials, makeovers and manicures to senior citizens. Disposable tools are given to ensure that everything is sanitary.

Once she became committed, she started recruiting friends from West Hempstead High School to help. To date, she has 16 girls involved in the monthly visits to Atria, where they pamper roughly 30 women — and some men — but more importantly provide the seniors with companionship for several hours.

“They’re really funny, and we talk about their kids and grandchildren,” said Rodriguez. “We get to talk about a lot just doing their nails.”

Last Sunday, the girls made their monthly trek to the Atria. “We’re going to keep doing this as long as we can,” said Rodriguez, who is a high school junior beginning to explore her college options. “That’s why we have a few sophomores in our group so they can continue it when the juniors leave.”