Students provide haircuts, spa treatments to parents and children residing at the House
MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. (December 10, 2018) — As part of an ongoing partnership between the Mount Vernon City School District and the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley, seven students enrolled in The Mount Vernon High School cosmetology career and technical education (CTE) program visited the House on Thursday, December 6, 2018, to volunteer their services. This was the students’ second visit of the year.
Families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley were invited to receive haircare treatments from the District’s cosmetology students. During their two-hour visit on Dec. 6, four of the 12 families staying at the House enjoyed pampering by the students under the guidance of The Mount Vernon High School cosmetology teacher, Mrs. Vanessa Newby-Jeffries.
“We truly appreciate that the class is here providing services to families who really need a little pampering. Being able to take a break and get a haircut or enjoy a simple spa treatment, is very much needed. The generosity of these students and teachers is wonderful,” said Lisa Fine, Director of Events at the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley.
Located in Valhalla, N.Y., in close proximity to both the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital and Blythedale Children’s Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House provides accommodations, meals and services for families of children undergoing medical treatments. The average length of a family’s stay is 22-25 nights.
“It’s been a long 72 hours,” said one mother from Fishkill, N.Y. While waiting for her four-year-old daughter’s 10-hour brain surgery to conclude, she was able to sit down and relax while the students offered her a blowout.
“Thank you! You make me feel alive,” said another mother, who was in the House with her nearly two-year-old twins.
The students recognized the importance of their volunteerism.
“The parents here have so much stuff to worry about with their child and their child’s care. So, to help them feel better about themselves, to uplift them by doing their hair, it’s an inspiring experience,” said The Mount Vernon High School senior Jordyne Hood. “To do something for them—something so simple as giving them a haircut or blowout—it feels good.”
“It’s very comforting to me to be able to do something for other people that they don’t have time to do,” said Kwuiny Laurent, a senior at The Mount Vernon High School. “This is the second time that I’ve been here and I enjoy it very much. That’s why I like the CTE program that I’m in, because we get to go on trips like this and do things like this for people.”
The New York Career and Technical Education program is committed to providing high-quality CTE opportunities for all students. Aligned to pathways, CTE studies are organized by: Agricultural education; Business & Marketing education; Family & Consumer Sciences education; Health Occupations education; Technology education; and Trade, Technical & Industrial education.
“This has been such a rewarding experience because students get the chance to give back by utilizing their skills and what they’ve learned in the classroom and bringing it into the real-world,” said Jaime Larmon, Work-Based Learning Coordinator for the Mount Vernon City School District. “CTE teaches skills students can use in the future and build upon in any career field that they pursue. It’s a great way to figure out what students want to do prior to going to college.”
“Currently we have the cosmetology students, then we’re going to have the graphic arts and web design. Hopefully, next year, we’ll have the culinary students come in and cook for residents once in a while. Then, maybe, even the automotive students coming in and servicing some of the cars for the residents as well,” added Larmon.
The students’ next visit is scheduled for January 10, 2019.
About the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley
Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley gives families with critically ill and traumatically injured children the gift of togetherness and keeps them close to the care and resources they need. The House has 12 bedrooms that are filled to capacity every night. Meals, laundry and respite services are provided for the families. Located on the campus of the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, N.Y., the House is just steps away from the Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital. The House also provides services to families staying at Blythedale Children’s Hospital. Since it opened in 2011, more than 1,500 families have stayed at the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley. For more information, please visit www.rmh-ghv.org.
About Mount Vernon City School District
With more than 8,000 students in 16 schools, the Mount Vernon City School District is committed to providing a quality education to its children as well as developing programs that meet the diverse academic and social needs of its students.
