In an effort to champion self-empowerment and self-care, students from Barry University’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program recently hosted a Spa Day at Lotus House, a holistic shelter for women that provides shelter, food and resources for rehabilitation and empowerment.
Situated in one of Miami’s poorest neighborhoods, it serves as a safe place for many cis and transwomen, as well as at-risk pregnant women and new mothers. Many of the women at Lotus House have a history of trauma, often due to abuse and violence. The women at lotus House find a safe haven where they are treated with care and encouraged to hone life skills, attend therapy sessions that teach substance-free living, and establish work opportunities to help transition them out of the shelter.
The Spa Day served as an incentive for the women to attend counseling sessions offered by Lotus House. During the event, PA students set up separate stations that provided simple make-up, nails and mask facials, and served home-baked goods and refreshments. Students were able to intimately interact with the women, hear their stories, and provide services that were intended to empower the women to feel respected and recognized despite the obstacles they face.