RHS Glamour Gals Visited the Kip Center

By Jennifer Ersalesi

Intergenerational programs and activities have always been an important part of the 55 Kip Center. Young children from local day cares, preschools, the Scouts, and many other groups visit and participate in activities with the seniors. Dancers from dance schools, the Rutherford High School Choir, and others have performed for the seniors at the Kip Center, as well. This is Rutherford interviewed Olivia Griggs, Guidance Counselor at Rutherford High School, Lishbet Garcia, English Teacher at Rutherford High School, and student Marina Abadir about a volunteer organization at RHS that focuses on building intergenerational relationships.

TIR: When was Glamour Gals formed?

Olivia Griggs: Glamour Gals was formed in 2000. It’s a national organization with chapters in high schools and colleges throughout the country. We decided to form a chapter at RHS at the beginning of the school year (and it turned out to be a great decision)! 

TIR: Who came up with the idea?

Lishbet Garcia: Its founder, Rachel Doyle, founded the club while in middle school, after her grandmother had passed away.  Her grandmother lived far away, and so Doyle was unable to visit with her regularly.  She realized that there are seniors all over who, like her grandmother, do not have the benefit of living close to family. 

TIR: In May, you visited the 55 Kip Center to treat Kip Center members to some pampering.  Can you tell us more about this visit?

OG: So this was not our first visit to the Kip Center! The Glamour Gals have been visiting the Kip Center regularly since the start of the school year. The visit to the Kip Center on Mother’s Day weekend was a really special one though! Although we had a smaller crowd than usual, in true Glamour Gals style, we made the most of it. In fact, having fewer "clients" gave us the opportunity to spend more one one-on-one time with each senior, allowing us to truly pamper them and create deeper connections.

LG: As always, the conversations between our high schoolers and the senior citizens were the highlight. The seniors not only shared stories and life experiences, but they also offered heartfelt advice to the girls about their futures. These moments are what make each visit so special. It’s not just about beauty and pampering, but about the meaningful relationships we build across generations. One of our girls even stayed behind to play BINGO and eat lunch with the seniors!

TIR: Anything you wish to add?

OG: Glamour Gals has had a powerful and lasting impact on the students and the seniors we serve. It’s also had an impact on us, as the advisors. For students, it’s more than just volunteering- it’s about building empathy, leadership, and real human connection. We have been privileged to have witnessed firsthand how our Glamour Gals’ confidence and communication skills have grown since the first visit in the fall. Each visit provides a chance to step outside of their daily teenage routines and connect with interesting, wise, and inspiring women from an older generation. For the two hours that we spend at a Kip Center visit, the group of teenage girls (who have chosen to wake up bright and early on a Saturday morning to volunteer) are smiling, laughing, and having face-to-face conversations with wonderful ladies. Oh, and they’re without their phones! As the advisors, it’s honestly amazing and heartwarming to watch. 

LG: For the seniors, these makeovers are about so much more than beauty- they’re about moments of joy, dignity, and companionship. I think that the presence of Glamour Gals helps them feel seen, valued, and cared for. A little nail polish or lipstick can brighten someone’s whole week, but it’s really the laughter and conversation that make the biggest difference.

It’s a reminder to all of us- young and old - that kindness, time, and connection can be just as transformative as any makeover!

Needless to say, we are really looking forward to growing our Glamour Gals chapter at RHS and to continuing to spread the “glam” (and so much more) throughout our community! 

Lishbet Garcia, members of Glamour Gals, and Olivia Griggs

This is Rutherford also spoke with junior Marina Abadir, a member of RHS' Glamour Gals, to learn more about her participation in the program.

TIR: What did you enjoy about visiting the Kip Center members?

Marina Abadir: When I walked into the Kip Center for the first time as a Glamour Gal, I felt like I was in a room full of grandmas. They all have a fun spirit. They are so open to talking to me and treat me like I'm family to them. 

Now I have a whole new group of "grandmas" to give me life advice! They've seen and been through everything from WW2 to Covid. So, if any of us are struggling with something, it's comforting to know that they've probably struggled with it too, so it feels like you're not so alone. 

TIR: What did you do while visiting the Kip Center?

MA: So when we first arrive, we set up the tables with makeup and nail polish. I'm not as good at doing makeup (as I can barely put it on myself), so I like to give manicures. When I give manicures to the ladies, I am always impressed by how simple and humble they are. For example, one time I asked a senior citizen what color nail polish she wanted (we provide so many options to them). She said, "Whatever color you give me is good. I'm just grateful that you're here." One lady even said, "I've never had a manicure before." While I'm painting their nails, I'm always having a conversation with them. I'm not just painting their nails and getting it over with. I am trying to learn about them and their lives. 

TIR: What made this day so special?

MA: Every Glamour Gals visit is special. I love all of the senior citizens. First of all, the ladies love attention, and when you start a conversation with them, they get so excited! It makes me feel like I've made their day when I see them smiling, but they also make my day! They always ask us when we are coming back. One time, after makeovers and manicures were done, we joined the seniors in a line dancing class. It was something I had never experienced, and it seemed old-fashioned. So, I thought I wasn't going to like it because it wasn't a modern type of dancing. Then, the music started playing, we started dancing, and I felt like I was making a TikTok video! 

TIR: Why did you decide to join Glamour Girls?  

MA: So my guidance counselor, Ms. Griggs, told me about a new club. I was unsure about joining because I thought all we would be doing is makeovers and manicures, which isn't my thing. But when she said that we would be interacting with senior citizens in my community, I became interested because I thought this might be something good to put on my resume for college. However, I realized during the first visit that I was enjoying it more than I could have imagined! With that being said, my entire attitude changed. Being involved in Glamour Gals is no longer just about doing community service. It's really about helping yourself through helping others. When I'm around the ladies, I feel like the world is so good! They don't judge and always uplift me. They make me feel confident in myself. All of my insecurities go away when I'm with them because I feel like I can just be myself, and they love that!