Some moms gets a little pampering at 'Day of Beauty' event

Cinderella would have been pleased to see the sunny smiles and looks of content on the faces of women recently pampered with professional beauty salon treatments.

In a switch, the beauticians from Essence of Style Salon on Golf Road in Hoffman Estates played "fairy godmother" to 40 participants who received haircuts and eight who had manicures at a "Day of Beauty" March 16. It was a tribute to deserving mothers who faithfully take part in the programs offered at the Community Resource Center, 700 Salem Drive, Hoffman Estates.

With long curly hair past her hips, Amena Rahman, 32, wanted a change and says she is grateful to the stylists who donated their time and talents. After her haircut, Rahman's soft waves fell to her shoulders giving her a new bold look. Her husband, Ateeq, gave his approval and so did her son, Suja, 11; and daughters Fana, 2; and Soha, 15 months.

Four-year-old twins Loreto and Fatima, each with long black locks intermingled with braids, stared in curiosity as their mom Maricela Alva had her hair cut from past her shoulders to a closely cropped cap of waves.

"It's a lot easier to take care of," Alva said. "I'm looking forward to trying it short like this for awhile."

Alva, who is married to Jose Alva, said her husband is fond of her new look. Her oldest daughter, Elisa, 14, also had her hair trimmed.

EOS owner Heather Robak says she has "a very giving staff" and considers it a "worthwhile experience to see the delight on the faces of the participants who deserve to be pampered a bit."

Staffers who took part include Kelly Kelley, Candace Lammersfeld, Gina Geanto, Valeria Rafael, Karie Nelson and Mary Bacon.

The Community Resource Center consists of social service, educational and municipal agencies that provide services to low-income residents, according to Kathy Kohlstedt. It was established almost eight years ago "as a collaborative effort among the Early Childhood Block Grant, the village of Hoffman Estates and the Hoffman Estates Police department.

During the years other agencies joined the effort. The Hoffman Estates Health and Human Services Department, the Hoffman Estates Park District, Spectrum, Schaumburg Township District Library, Harper College, High School District 214, the Boy and Girl Scouts and Motorola Latino Business Council added their services.

The "Day of Beauty" is "a first for some deserving mothers who fully participated in many of the programs offered at the center," Kohlstedt said.