Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:07):
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each week we come together right here talk about all
the topics important to you and the place where you live.
Thanks again for tuning in this week. I'm Nicole Davis. Well,
sometimes if you're down and out, just not feeling yourself,
a little bit of self care is all it takes
to lift your spirits, and for many women a bit
of lipstick or blush or mascara can do just the trick.
(00:31):
Good makeup, though, is not cheap, and when you're struggling
to make ends meet, it's certainly not a priority. In Westborough,
a nonprofit called Give and Glow works every day to
team up with donors, influencers, and beauty companies and direct
beauty products to women in need to boost their confidence
and dignity. Over in Needam, a nonprofit called Circle of
Hope is doing something similar year round, providing necessities and
(00:52):
hygiene products to people experiencing homelessness. The two nonprofits are
coming together for a great cause this holiday, so let's
talk about it that aspreally, the founder of Give and
Glow is here and Ari Barbonell. She's been on the
show before. She is now with Circle of Hope. She's
their executive director and she returns to the show. It's
great to have you both, Samantha. I would love to
(01:12):
hear a bit more about Give and Glow and your
mission first.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Absolutely so at Give and Glow, we believe confidence creates opportunity,
and how we do that is we restore the dignity
and self love among women in need by partnering with
beauty brands, influencers and generous donors who have unused excess
inventory of beauty products, and we redirect those products into
(01:35):
the hands of women who deserve it the most, especially
around the holiday time. We all want to feel a
little extra joy and feel beautiful, So whether that's with
a lipstick, mascara, or even a brand new shampoo and conditioner,
we provide nonprofits with the tools to enhance their essential
services that they provide with a little more beauty products
(01:56):
in their life.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
How often are you working with these influencers Because I
know that you know brand deals, you see the videos,
and these influencers have like boxes and boxes that they're
opening up at any given time. How often are you
getting the product from these influencers?
Speaker 2 (02:09):
It is a constant year round process of them receiving
pr packages that they can't use all of the product.
They they're one person and they only have so much
to give away to family and friends, and they're doing
a great thing by being able to share with their
followers that Hey, the product that I get really goes
to women across the country and in Boston, Massachusetts that
(02:31):
really deserve to feel beautiful. And the influencers, the brands
and especially Give and Glow want to send a message
that we're not giving products because we think that women
need to look a certain way, but we know the
effect that the product has or you can show up
more confident and capable in yourself. We're giving women the
(02:52):
tools that they need to look in the mirror and
see more than their circumstances. And that's the smile that
we're trying to create.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Yeah, for sure. And then Circle of Hope are I
mean you all are focused on hygiene as well. Tell
me about your angle and what you all focus on.
Speaker 3 (03:06):
Yeah, Circle of Hope. We're providing clothing and hygiene essentials
to people experiencing homelessness or who are housing insecure, and
we provide these for people from the age of zero
to one hundred, all ages, filling all the gaps, making
sure the whole family, the whole person has everything they
need to stay warm, to stay healthy, for their best
(03:28):
mental health, their best physical health. And so we focus
on all populations, like I said, and we're especially focused
on women and children, and also we have an incredible
program focused on students, college and career bound young people.
It's incredible the rates of homelessness among people in that
age group and that high school through age twenty four
(03:49):
age group. And so that's been a big focus as well.
And we've been so grateful to work with Samantha to
provide these products to our community.
Speaker 1 (03:57):
The economy is all over the place right now. People
are struggling in all different financial levels here. What are
you seeing when it comes to the need not just
for clothing, but for these basic hygiene products that I
think a lot of people don't realize are not covered
by Snap.
Speaker 3 (04:12):
You nailed it, That's what I was going to share.
I think people don't realize that it was never covered
by Snap. And now that we're dealing with all of
these challenges with the increase in pricing and the challenges
around Snap, more than ever, these hygiene items are essential,
and it's not an option to have a little extra
income to buy the toothpaste or the shampoo, or the
soap or the deodorant that you might need for you
(04:33):
or your families. So the demand on our services has
grown so much. We're so grateful to be here and
be able to meet that need. But for the first
time in our history, we have a wait list for
organizations and people in need of our services.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
I feel like that's something I'm seeing from a lot
of nonprofits across the board, not just in the hygiene space,
but really any nonprofit that provides essential services. Are you
hearing that from your peers in the space as well?
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Absolutely? Absolutely. I think the challenges around funding, the challenges
around rising levels of homelessness and poverty, we're all feeling
pushed upon to do more and we want to, and
all of our peers are rising to the occasion. We
fill gaps. We work with other nonprofits, just like Samantha does,
and I think that's what's beautiful. We're all part of
(05:21):
this ecosystem, supporting each other, but we are leaning in
and on each other more than ever.
Speaker 1 (05:27):
Yeah, Samantha, I mean the beautiful thing about makeup is
that some people might consider it to be a luxury.
Some people might just say it's not necessary. But you need,
I think, to put on your freshest face to go
look for a job. You need it for confidence, just
to you know, get through the day. Sometimes a little
bit of lipstick, a little bit of you know, I
can't leave my house without my liquid eyeliner. It's just
(05:49):
like since sixteen years old. It's just the way it's been.
I don't look like me without it. Talk to me
a little bit about what it's like for people who
wear makeup, who how this can be such a boost
for them.
Speaker 2 (05:59):
Absolutely so. The way that we think about it is
Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and our nonprofit partners really serve
the bottom tier, the basic essential for survival and safety.
And we partner with our nonprofits to enhance what they
already do best and say focus on the essentials that
is not only needed all the time, but especially right now.
(06:21):
We will bring your services to a level four and
we will cover those psychological needs of makeup, of skincare,
of hair care, and with our thirty partners that we
are so excited to serve in December, that they know
that these products that the women and in their communities
they're receiving. It's going to just bring extra joy to them,
especially around these times. And we're so excited to partner
(06:44):
with Circle of Hope to expand our ability to serve
the nonprofit partners in our community.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
Samantha, tell me a bit about this event. How did
you two get together on all this? I'm so curious
about that.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Yeah, So, as Auri mentioned the amount that we have
to lean on each other as nonprofit partner in these
times when the need has been greater than ever. There
are weightless and we are providing products at a faster
rate than we've ever had before. Partnering expands our capabilities
in our ability to distribute the products to a wider
(07:15):
audience than we have been before. So we're so grateful
for a Circle of Hope to partner with us on
our first ever holiday wish list. Beauty product distribution is
kind of a mouthful that we're calling it. So this
is a day on December tenth that we are serving
thirty nonprofit partners in Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Illinois, Oregon
(07:37):
and beyond with over forty six thousand products for the
holiday season. And that includes general skincare, hair care, and
makeup bundles that the nonprofits requested based on the population
that they serve. And then also we're packing one thousand
curated care packages with lipsticks skincare sero that women are
(08:02):
actually going to be able to walk away with a
bag full of products. So Circle of Hope is going
to help us not only on site and pack those products,
but get out these kits in a rapid manner that
everyone can have them and enjoy for the holidays. And
what was super important to mention is that when we
give away these products, we know that one lipstick isn't
(08:23):
going to change someone's life. Not only do we make
sure that each person receiving our products gets around three
to four items that they can choose from, but they're
able to use those products over and over again and
creates a ripple effect of smiles and joy and dignity,
restoring that we are trying to create.
Speaker 1 (08:41):
Over at Circle of Hope. Ari, I mean an event
like this, you all do so much throughout the year,
but this seems to be a little extra special.
Speaker 3 (08:49):
Yeah, I think you know, the holiday time brings it
out in all of us that we want to make
sure people feel their best. It's a hard time for people,
especially people experiencing homelessness or at risk of losing their
their home. So it was amazing that we met Samantha
about a year ago. I think now and we've been
able to work together consistently, and now, more than ever,
(09:11):
it feels like the perfect time to be able to
provide this extra, this wonderful treat We serve, like I said,
a number of women and female identifying community members, and
we have so many partners that we've told that we
are going to be able to distribute this to already
and they are beyond excited. I think it's perfect timing
(09:33):
to add a little something special.
Speaker 1 (09:35):
Agreed, So, Samantha, do you need volunteers? What do you
need that somebody listening can provide for you right now
to help with this?
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Oh my goodness, the need has been greater than ever,
and we are really lucky to have volunteers from Beacon
Hill Wellness Brands based out of new and we have
thirty people coming to create joy and pack all of
these care packages for us. But what the need is
greater than ever is the financial contributions to expand our
ability to continue to distribute these products in twenty twenty six.
(10:07):
We have an incredible amount of brands and influencers that
are going to have leftover products from the holidays they
didn't sell. They're offering new products in twenty twenty six.
We expect an incredible amount of donations in quarter one
of twenty twenty six, and we need help getting that out.
And that's the most important way to support is providing
(10:28):
those financial contributions to be able to brighten a women's
day with some beauty products. And we're so grateful for
everyone who has supported and continue to support a unique
mission with beauty products.
Speaker 1 (10:39):
All right, same question for you, Aria, your again, your
need is there all year long. What do you need
this holiday season, not just for this event, but overall
for the next few weeks and months.
Speaker 3 (10:50):
Yeah, I think you know. We have a donation center.
As Samantha said, I echo, financial donations are essential to
keeping the work going and alive. Also accept new and
gently used clothing and new hygiene items. We're open four
days a week on the weekdays ten to twelve for
drop ups and Saturdays as well. Right now, we really
(11:11):
need children's items. We need kids coats, toddler coats, baby coats,
all sorts of winter accessories. I cannot tell you how
fast this is all going out from our donation center
right now, so please reach out. If you can't get
to us, we'll find a way for you to do
a drive. But you know, constant need for really high
(11:32):
quality clothing and new hygiene products all year round, but
especially right now.
Speaker 1 (11:38):
Yeah, and so important to mention if you're going through
your closet, if these clothes are not in the best condition,
if it's all soiled. When you're doing these donations, it's
important to make sure that this is something you would
put on your own child, or this is something you
would put on yourself. Correct.
Speaker 3 (11:53):
Absolutely, And you know, we want to help get you
where you need to be for the things you want
to you know, recycle or get rid of, you know,
all sorts of places for you to take things. But
for us, we need it to be you know, in
the best possible condition. It can be no stains, no smells,
beautiful things. You know, as Samantha said, we need to
provide the utmost care and kindness and dignity for every
(12:14):
human being.
Speaker 1 (12:14):
We all deserve that, absolutely, we do, all right, Samantha,
Where can people A come give you the money you
need to keep going. B If there's an influencer maybe listening,
I hope they are listening to the show. But if
there is an different influencer listening, where can they find you?
Speaker 2 (12:29):
Absolutely? We have our website and our Instagram it's given
glow dot org. It's give with an N in the
middle glow dot org. Same on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and
there you can find how to supply us with monetary
donations as well as see the guidelines to provide brand
new beauty products for us to distribute out into our communities.
(12:52):
And this event on December tenth is only possible where
Ari and I are able to put our heads together
and say, how can we make the holidays extra special?
That's only possible by the support that Circle of Hope
and Give and Glow continues to receive, so to make
more magic happen in twenty twenty six. The holidays are
a perfect time to fuel nonprofit organizations with those abilities
(13:13):
to make more joy in the coming year.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
Okay, well, then, Ari, how can people get a hold
of a circle of Hope, not just now but throughout
the year?
Speaker 3 (13:20):
Absolutely? Online where Circle of Hope Online dot org is
our website. Our physical location is in Needham, Massachusetts, but
we're serving Greater Boston and the Metro West area, so
we have a very wide reach. We would love to
connect with everyone and figure out how to work together
a year round, because this isn't just a holiday issue,
(13:41):
It's an all the time issue.
Speaker 1 (13:42):
That's true. All right, ladies, I thank you for the
work you're doing to give the women around Greater Boston
a bit of a boost this holiday season. We could
all use it and have a great season and all
the best next year.
Speaker 2 (13:54):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
Have a safe and healthy weekend. Please join me again
next week for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole
Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.