the B. spot

In my latest Beauty Has a Heart Post, I’m focusing on a subject that hits close to home (no pun intended, really).  I think it’s vital that manufacturers care enough to give back to the people who are supporting their companies by continually purchasing their products.  Out of all of my topics, this category is my favorite because it’s the kind of beauty goes well below the dermis, past the subcutaneous fat (ok, let me snap out of my nerd moment)- it’s beauty that matters:-)

The Gentle Treatment Beauty Center recently installed inside Family Rescue's Ridgeland Housing and Day Care Center located in Chicago.

“No Excuse! STOP the Abuse!” is an aggressive initiative established by Johnson Products Company to assist Family Rescue, an advocacy organization  in  Chicago that helps combat domestic violence against women. Family Rescue provides counseling, emergency shelter, safe housing, legal advocacy and comprehensive support services for victims of domestic abuse.

The centerpiece of the “No Excuse, STOP the Abuse!”  initiative is the creation of a Gentle Treatment Beauty Center inside Family Rescue’s Ridgeland Housing & Day Care facility.   In addition to the Gentle Treatment Beauty Center, the “No Excuse! STOP the ABUSE!” initiative is comprised of other components including:  a four-year $20,000 financial commitment to help fund Family Rescue programs and operations (Johnson Products Company will distribute the funds in annual installments of $5,000); an on-line donation portal and a month-long promotion currently running in select Sally Beauty Supply stores.

Eric Brown, far right, cheif executive officer, Johnson Products Company and Renee Cottrell-Brown, second right, executive vice president, sales and marketing, Johnson Products Company present a check totalling $40,000 to Family Rescue executives in Chicago. The check represents the value of Johnson Products Company's five-year commitment to support the programs and expenditures of Family Resue's Ridgeland Transition Housing & Day Care Center for women and children of domestic violence. Accepting the check are, left-right, Tara Dabney, director of communications and development, Family Rescue, Denise Akapo, director of transitional housing, Family Rescue and Joyce Coffee, executive director, Family Resuce.

“Family Rescue works diligently on empowering women to move from a state of crisis to one of sustainable independence by focusing on areas like trauma recovery, safe, affordable housing, and financial literacy,” said Joyce Coffee, Executive Director. “The Gentle Treatment Beauty Center is a poignant reminder that a survivor’s self-esteem can be greatly enhanced by providing a means to improve her outer beauty.  We are so grateful to Johnson Products and Sally Beauty for giving Family Rescue a unique way to focus holistically on the healing of the women we serve.”

The Gentle Treatment Beauty Center features a wood-crafted contemporary styling station, black and chrome salon chairs, a state-of-the-art wet station, wood trim cabinetry, beautiful ceramic tile flooring and black furnishings. The decor reflects soft and bold shades of purple that are symbolic of the domestic violence movement.  The Center will be stocked with assorted hair care products, and Gentle Treatment care packages (night gowns, person care items, Fashion Fair cosmetics and Essence magazines) as well as supplies provided by Johnson Products and Sally Beauty.

“Following a four year absence from the community, it is most appropriate that we return here, to Chicago to help elevate awareness of domestic violence against women—particularly African American women,” said Brown.  “This is the city where the Johnson Products’ legacy began more than 50 years ago and where it built a loyal and supportive consumer base.  One of our company’s key objectives is to recycle dollars back into the heart of our communities and rebuild roots as a company that genuinely cares about this issue.”  He challenged other community leaders, corporations and organizations to join JPC in the initiative because Family Rescue cannot fight against the rising tide of domestic abuse alone.

This first phase represents the beginning of Johnson Products Company’s commitment to the domestic violence issue.  The company plans to launch “No Excuse! STOP the ABUSE!” in Dallas later this year and in eight additional cities over the next five years.

TTYL,

Ni’Kita