ST. JOSEPH Makeup session boosts spirits

Tender Touch is looking for volunteers.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
WARREN -- It was smiles all around as several female patients in St. Joseph Health Center's progressive care unit as they received minifacial makeups from volunteers in the hospital's new Tender Touch program.
Initiated by Carolyn Leeworthy, volunteer manager for St. Joseph, Tender Touch, part of St. Joseph's hospitality program, has five volunteers and is seeking more.
Volunteers receive two hours of training in both light makeup application and hygiene by Chris Worley from the Clinique department at Dillard's department store in the Eastwood Mall in Niles. Hypo-allergenic, fragrance-free Clinique makeup products are used.
Leeworthy said Tender Touch is being tried for three months in the 11-bed progressive sub-acute care unit, where patients stay for seven to 10 days after having heart or orthopedic or other serious procedures, and where they learn to become more independent before going home.
If it is successful there, Tender Touch may be expanded to the hospital's general patient population and to other Humility of Mary Health Partners facilities, Leeworthy said.
About the program
Tender Touch, funded by the St. Joseph Foundation, is intended to enhance a woman's hospital stay by making her feel better about herself during an illness or after an operation.
"What's good for the spirit is good for the body," Leeworthy said.
Judging from the smiles of two of the patients who received minifacials Wednesday, Denita Lesher of Vienna and Debbie Hrabowy of Champion, Leeworthy is correct.
Volunteers applying the cosmetics Wednesday were Judy Roenn of Howland and Barbara Datish of Cortland.
Reonn also volunteers at the hospital by sewing pillows for patients and working at the information desk, and Datish works in the hospital's gift shop.
The makeup volunteer is not only someone who provides a service, but she is someone with a kind heart and a caring hand for patients to talk to, Leeworthy said.
People who want to volunteer for the Tender Touch program can contact Leeworthy at (330) 841-4375.