GlamourGals bridge gap between generations through makeovers

QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) – A high school graduate received a scholarship award for her volunteer work at a senior home.

Nusrat Jahan belongs to a local chapter of the GlamourGals Foundation, whose mission is to foster intergenerational connections while empowering teen leaders. She started volunteering by doing makeovers and manicures at senior homes.

"A lot of these seniors they don’t get visits from their family members or their relatives, so the interaction they have with us is one of the very few interactions they get throughout the whole year," Jahan said.

Founded 24 years ago, the GlamourGals Foundation is a national organization with 120 chapters across the U.S.

"We really want to focus on empowering compassionate teen leaders and giving them those skills that they can use and go out and continue to make their communities a better place," said Amanda Dilworth, the GlamourGals Foundation's program manager.

Jahan signed up to volunteer during her junior year in high school. This past May, the GlamourGals Foundation awarded her a $1,000 scholarship to put towards her college education.

Jahan said while she's grateful for the money, there are other valuable takeaways from the interaction she’s had with the residents at the Ozanam Hall Nursing Home.

"These seniors here have changed my life because I’ve learned so many lessons of empathy, communication, kindness and, most importantly, patience," Jahan said.

"I’m always asking around… GlamourGals here? I want GlamourGals!" said Christine Olszanski, who has been a resident at the nursing home since September.

She looks forward to the two-hour bi-weekly visits, where around 15 volunteers glam up between 30 and 40 residents.

The interaction between these two generations doesn’t benefit the seniors only, the GlamourGals said.

"We’ve heard so much about the teens who are shy, won’t look up from their phones," said Dilworth. "But as soon as they get into the senior home to see the seniors, they are ready to talk and engage and listen and hear stories, and it’s really amazing bonds that are created."

Jahan’s plans for the summer include bi-weekly interactions with her new friends and getting ready to attend Hofstra University in the fall, where she will continue with her volunteer work.

"Living in NY, life is so fast-paced, you are constantly thinking about yourself, this has definitely taught me to slow down and to appreciate the little things in life," Jahan said.

To find out more about the GlamourGals Foundation, click here.