Cosmetologists have the potential to change someone’s life for the better by making a positive difference in their day. Volunteering opportunities for cosmetologists looking to donate time to help women in their community feel beautiful and empowered are plentiful. Giving back to society is such a gratifying experience that can also help you.
Reveal Beauty
At Reveal Beauty, they’re currently looking for volunteers to host their monthly virtual workshops. These workshops aim to empower domestic violence and sex trafficking survivors by sharing self-care and professional development tools while reinforcing their worth.
Beyond their virtual volunteering opportunities, they also have on-site options in New York City and Austin, Texas. Local activities include crafting special care packages for survivors and visiting partner shelter locations to drop off supplies.
Look Good Feel Better
The Look Good Feel Better Foundation is an organization that supports all women with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, radiation, and other forms of treatment. This non-medical public service program teaches beauty techniques to women with cancer to help them manage the appearance-related side effects of cancer treatment.
There are many ways to volunteer with Look Good Feel Better. They work with volunteers specializing in skin and nail care, cosmetics, wigs and hair care, styling, and more. Look Good Feel Better also partners with salon professionals, manufacturers, and beauty professionals to offer an extensive selection of beauty treatments.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization launched step-by-step beauty videos and virtual workshops that provided more opportunities to volunteers. Since their origins, they’ve also expanded their educational resources to men and teens, offering programs explicitly targeted to these demographics.
Start Your Own Charity Effort
You don’t need to work alongside an organization to find volunteering opportunities. For example, you can organize a charity day at your salon or spa and donate a percentage of your service fees during the event. Also, you can collect hair for Locks of Love. When clients request to cut at least 10 inches off their hair, ask if they’d live to save that hair and donate it. This is a small effort that requires no much planning or intervention.
Think about other ways you can use your time. Set up a mobile salon and offer free haircuts to the homeless, visit local homeless shelters, or see highly-populated homeless areas in your neighborhood. While many cosmetologists choose to take this initiative to the streets, you can also spread the word and let them know that you’ll receive them at your salon, free of charge.
Connect with Local Shelters
Local shelters are a great starting place to find volunteering opportunities. Connect with local shelters and find out how your professional services can help. Homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, children’s services agencies, mental health centers, and addiction facilities are all great local organizations to reach out to.
Partner with these shelters to offer your services once a week or every two weekends, depending on your availability. See what other ways you can help. For example, if they need monetary resources, perhaps that means you’ll organize a fundraising event at your salon. Or you can donate a percentage of your proceeds to the shelter as support on an ongoing basis.
Why You Should Volunteer
Volunteerism gives you a unique opportunity to become a fixture in your community. It provides you with a chance to hone your skills, and it’s an excellent addition to your resume. Not to mention, there’s no better feeling in the world than knowing you can help someone else in a positive and impactful way with something as simple as a haircut, a manicure, or a quick facial.
