Some local moms got the royal treatment at the St. Clair College Student Spa in advance of Mother's Day, proving to be a relaxing experience for many local women, including Angela Maniel.
"Get pampered, have some dinner, why not?" said Maniel, who is a client of Family Respite Services Windsor-Essex.
Maniel's son was recently diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, and this was one of the first events she's been able to attend to get a break from the challenges of being a primary caregiver.
"We're being spoiled. I mean, it is Mother's Day on Sunday, right? So, it's really nice," she said.
The session was a collaboration between Family Respite Services Windsor-Essex and the College's Fast Track Esthetician program, where women were treated to manicures and pedicures, along with a special dinner from Hamoudi's Shawarma.
"It's all just another aspect of being able to provide respite care for some of the caregivers that we know are in some challenging circumstances on a day-to-day basis," said Kieran McKenzie, a Community Relations Coordinator at Family Respite Services. "Our mandate in the community is to help those families and to give those caregivers an opportunity to rest and recharge."
"This is a really great opportunity for us to offer that type of an even more enhanced level of respite service to some of the people that we serve," McKenzie added.
Family Respite Services works with families in challenging parenting situations who are caring for individuals under the age of 18 who have intellectual, physical, or mental health challenges, ranging from cognitive disabilities to mental health issues.
"Our focus is to be able to help those caregivers maintain their energy level and to support them through those day-to-day challenges they face when raising a child that has exceptionalities," McKenzie said.
Ahead of Mother's Day, a team full of student-estheticians spent the evening providing the full spa treatment for these mothers, creating a serene environment while offering the much-desired services at the Student Spa.
"This is a great event for the students. It gives them opportunity to give back to the community and gives them experience, the hands-on experience of the services and working with the public," said Prof. Deborah Agostini, the coordinator of the Esthetician program.
"Mother's Day is really just for all the moms and to give them some time to just relax and get their nails done," said Keira Kenney, a student in the fast-track Esthetician program. "Not only do we get to practice our skills with them, but I just love making other people feel beautiful and be part of that journey, especially whenever it's for a cause for moms. It's really great."
McKenzie calls it a win-win for all groups, not only for the experiential learning opportunity for students but also the small break it provided the clients.
"It's about a moment in time where these caregivers aren't having to think about everyone else. It's a moment where they get to think about relaxing, the opportunity to have some camaraderie and downtime," said McKenzie.
"I think it's a really important part of being the best parent and caregiver that you can be."
