Free makeovers offered to Vision House residents

Women in Gibson Recovery Center Inc.'s Vision House program got a beauty boost Wednesday with makeovers donated by local salons.

This was the first time Gibson Recovery has offered Treat No Tricks for Vision House, marketing director Dwana Leible said. About 11 women from Vision House, a 16-bed transitional housing facility for women with substance abuse issues, got their hair, makeup and eyebrows done for free by representatives from local businesses.

Women can stay at Vision House 21 to 90 days, gain employment and work on their recovery while there.

"It was so wonderful. I feel so much better about myself, and whenever you look good you feel good and I'm just so excited about it; it was great," said Kimberly, whose last name is not being used because of federal health privacy regulations.

Kimberly said she was going to be able to use the makeup tips she learned Wednesday.

"I had a job interview last Thursday and I had one today," she said. "I'm really hoping to get it. I got to get my hair done first. That made me feel more confident about it."

Makala felt the same way.

"I loved it. It was so great, and it was really uplifting," Makala said, adding it was a confidence-booster. "It was fun and it was a great thing -- a great way to spend half of our day."

One goal of Wednesday's makeovers was to prepare the women for job interviews or picking up job applications, Leible said.

Leible got the idea for Treat No Tricks from attending Project Homeless Connect, where she talked to consumers and found they needed a boost of self-esteem. She decided Gibson's clients probably could use one as well.

Chief operating officer Ryan Essex said one of the main things Gibson Recover Center does is help clients re-establish and develop social skills so they again can become productive members of society with jobs, healthy living environments and relationships.

"As Dwana said, some of our consumers do enter services with us coming directly from jail or prison, and one of the things that we do with those individuals is help them get back on their feet," Essex said. "With this particular program, the Vision House is giving them a stable living environment to get back on their feet, along with providing them some supportive services while they're trying to do that. ... Those supportive services are basic substance abuse treatment services, along with mental health services."

Medical services also are provided, Leible said.

Employment specialist Christian Freeman said people are referred to her by caseworkers. She starts by learning more about them and strives to assess where she can help them improve to find employment and helps match consumers and employers.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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