Short and sassy.
That's the style Andrea Sampson requested from the hairdresser as she peered into the mirror Tuesday morning.
With a critical eye, Sampson lifted strands of her hair to illustrate the length and style she was looking for as she sat in the armchair at the Fire Pit Cultural Drop-In Centre while talking to volunteer hairdresser Shaelyn Wiebe.
This wasn't a typical spa day at a local high-end salon. This was an opportunity for homeless and at-risk women to do a little self-care and get some well-deserved pampering by volunteers from Ms Lorea's College of Esthetics & Nail Technology and the Loxx Academy of Hair Design.
Most often when the two education facilities volunteer their services, it's during an evening event that includes dinner and door prizes, along with some karaoke. This day event is the first of its kind where women have the opportunity to get their hair and nails done at no charge.
"Loxx Academy does an excellent job," said Sampson, who has four children and is pregnant with her fifth.
"I had a little pixie cut done and I love it."
Sampson said her children live with her parents because they are helping her right now and she's very appreciative of that because in 2011 Sampson lost her custody battle against the children's father.
"But I got them back finally," said Sampson, 34. "My youngest one is in a home because he was born with cerebral palsy. He was born two months premature and I cared for him for three and a half years but then I made a hard decision and I did it for him. So my life is normal and I don't drink or do drugs and I plan on going back to school way later on. I think I would make a good nurse because I like helping people."
Sampson visits the Central Interior Native Health Society Primary Health Care Clinic for her prenatal health care.
"That's where I go see my doctor and the nurses help me with anything I need and my social worker is helping find another place to live right now because my landlord shut off the heat too early and it's cold there right now," said Sampson, who is a homemaker who takes care of her husband and her children stay with her most weekends and sometimes during the day.
Sampson enjoys her time at the Fire Pit and makes an afternoon of it because the health care clinic is right around the corner from it, so she'll visit the doctor and then stop by for lunch or take part in one of the many activities available at the Fire Pit like bingo, drumming circle or the talking circle.
"I love this place," said Sampson about the Fire Pit in between having her hair cut and her nails done. "This place is good for people who need help with anything. I am glad this place exists. All of us are really thankful for this place."
