By Jessica Tulbure and Annie Laterza, Tricoci University at Chicago NW
For most people Friday, October 14th 2011 was just a normal day but for the TUBC team and the wonderful women of Chicago Dream Center, it was a day of beauty, new beginnings and lots of emotions.
The Tricoci team eagerly greeted the women with open arms and anticipation. As students, we are always a little nervous with the pressure of performing at the highest level of service possible to our clients, but on this particular day we believe our clients were just as nervous as us, if not more. All of the women in this amazing program have all had a past that has deterred their life in some way. These women have suffered through everything from drug addiction, alcoholism, losing their homes and in a lot of cases, losing their children and families. When they thought there was no one else to turn to, the New Life Covenant Church reached out and transformed their lives in a way that they may not have even believed was possible. All the women in the program have gone through a two-year rehabilitation program that included the entire first year living on a farm. This was the day that they had been working for; it was the first day of the rest of their lives! These women have been through more than most people can comprehend, but what we comprehend was their desire and excitement to be beautiful from the inside out.
The Dream Canter ladies were anxious when they arrived for their day of pampering. Some of these women hadn’t set foot in a salon for years and even some had never been to a salon! As the Tricoci students introduced themselves to the ladies and went over their consultations with warm smiles and professionalism, the ladies began to relax. The idea of being pampered brought some of the women and students to tears. Within an hour of the day’s services, tears turned to laughter and excitement as the women received esthetics, hair and nail services as the ladies were getting ready for their Fashion Show fundraiser at Carnivale in downtown Chicago.
As the day drew to a close, everyone in the room had ear-to-ear smiles on their face. All the women, students, and teachers gathered in the front of the school for pictures and goodbyes. It was that moment when the Tricoci University family knew they have given these ladies more than a make-over, but the reminder that they are all beautiful women that have accomplished something wonderful, and today would be a day they would never forget. Hugs were given, pictures taken, tears shed of joy between the students and the ladies from the dream center. As the women left and went onto the second phase of their day, the students and faculty gathered to reflect on the amazing experience we all had the privilege to be a part of. We remembered as students that it’s not always about grades and when we get to graduate, but about making it a more beautiful world one client at a time. We were reminded how special it is to give our services to other people and it was a day that will never be forgotten.
A special thanks goes out to Ms. Lina for bringing the Chicago Dream Center to our school. Ms. Katie and Ms. Tori, the managers of Tricoci University Chicago NW campus for giving us this opportunity to be included in this heart fulfilling event and also a huge thanks to Mrs. Rha-keera and Ms. Karen, who were the instructors guiding and helping each student in this amazing process. Last but not least, all of the cosmetology and esthetic students who performed the services.
For more information on the Chicago Dream Center and the Dare to Dream Gala, please visit: http://www.chicagodreamcenter.org/ministries/new-life-for-women/ & http://www.mydaretodream.org/.