Eco Vision Memramcook, a social enterprise that employs adults with disabilities through a bottle redemption centre and a thrift store, is expanding with a new clothing boutique. The employees recently participated in a photoshoot at the future site of the boutique, where they had their hair and makeup done professionally for the first time. Executive Director Audrey Mazurek hopes the new location will have more of a boutique feel and plans to display posters of the participants modelling in the store. The photoshoot was meant to be empowering for the employees and other adults with intellectual disabilities who may not have had the opportunity to have experiences like prom due to bullying and lack of social interactions in the past.
Photographer André Boulard generously took on the photoshoot free of charge, believing in the meaningful cause and the importance of expressing oneself. Additionally, students from the Jon Raymond Institute, a beauty school in Moncton, provided hair and makeup services for free. The students enjoyed working with the Eco Vision Memramcook employees, who were excited and having fun during the photoshoot. One employee, Carmella Caroll, expressed her love for getting her hair and makeup done and working with her friends and boss. Each participant was able to choose an outfit from the thrift store’s donated clothes for the photoshoot.
The initiative by Eco Vision Memramcook to provide these experiences for their employees is aimed at giving them opportunities they may not have had otherwise. Mazurek expressed her goal of creating social experiences and activities for the employees, particularly those from older generations who may have missed out on such experiences due to being bullied or lacking friends. She wants to create a supportive environment where the employees can feel empowered and valued. The new boutique is envisioned as a place where the participants can model and showcase their talents, further boosting their confidence and self-esteem.
By involving the community and getting support from local businesses and individuals, Eco Vision Memramcook is able to provide opportunities and experiences for their employees at no cost to them. The collaboration with the photographer, beauty school students, and other volunteers demonstrates the impact of coming together for a meaningful cause. The photoshoot at the future boutique location not only helped prepare for the store’s opening but also served as a platform for the participants to express themselves and show their unique personalities. The efforts to create a more inclusive and empowering environment for adults with disabilities are commendable and offer a glimpse of the positive impact that social enterprises can have on the community.
