African, Caribbean seniors treated to makeovers to help fight loneliness

A grassroots organization in Calgary that supports African and Caribbean seniors has been giving elderly women makeovers to help combat loneliness and boost their self esteem. 

It's an idea to mark Alberta Seniors' Week by the Bridge to Oasis Foundation, a local non-profit that supports seniors with everything from grocery deliveries to combating isolation and strengthening generational bonds in the community.

WATCH | Calgary foundation celebrates Seniors' Week with free makeovers:

How a Calgary organization is boosting seniors' mental health through makeovers

6 months ago

Duration 2:29

To mark Seniors' Week, the Bridge to Oasis Foundation has been giving seniors from African and Caribbean backgrounds makeovers at a mall just north of Calgary. Organizers say the initiative aims to help combat loneliness, boost mental health and make seniors in their community feel special again.

"We seniors get forgotten so many times, so many of us," said Brenda Alleyne, one of many seniors who enjoyed a visit to the Kariata Beauty salon in New Horizon Mall, just north of the city this week.

"It's nice to have somebody remember us," she said. "Seniors are lonely, the kids are gone and we're home alone. Events like this bring us out and there's events all year so we can go out and socialize."

The Bridge to Oasis Foundation also delivers health, nutrition, fitness and dietary advice and supports to Afro-Canadian seniors in communities all over the city, as well as connecting them with each other to improve social connections, all with cultural sensitivity and understanding in mind. 

"Loneliness, isolation — as mobility decreases it becomes even worse. Now it is their time. As you grow older it doesn't mean life has ended. It doesn't mean that you are secluded from community. There's still a lot to see," said Bukola Ojemakinde, executive director of the Bridge to Oasis Foundation.

Ojemakinde describes the organization as a central corridor between government, resources, advocacy and black seniors.

Funding comes largely from grants from different levels of government.

Ojemakinde say a haircut is a simple thing, but one that can make people feel special.

"They are our mothers and fathers and they have done a lot for us," said stylist Khadijatu Janneh with Kariata Beauty.

"It's our time now to give back to them and help them out. I love to see them looking gorgeous, looking younger," she said.

The Bridge to Oasis Foundation holds events for seniors year-round.

Next month the group will be taking seniors out to brunch.