Giving Back

It Takes a Village

J L

By Jessica Laskey Giving Back: Volunteer Profile

Carol Voyles and Danny Hernández Photo by Linda Smolek

SACRAMENTO SOROPTIMISTS ADOPT A CITY FARMS SCHOOL

Trish Levin and Carol Voyles have nearly 600 grandchildren. No, they’re not all biological.

Most of the kids are students at Ethel Phillips Elementary School in the City Farms neighborhood south of Sutterville Road. But that doesn’t mean Levin and Voyles love them any less.

The women are co-chairs of a project they call Ethel’s Village at the K-6 school through Soroptimist International of Metropolitan Sacramento, the local chapter of a global service organization for women.

Through this partnership, Soroptimist members work with the school to provide resources such as books, programming, access to fi eld trips, art classes, family assistance and more.

“The Ethel Phillips relationship spoke to me because I’ve always had an interest in children and families and helping in our community with a focus on education,” says Voyles, a retired psychotherapist who joined Soroptimist as a way to put service in her life.

She adds, “I have a degree in social work, so I’m sensitive to different cultures, but the reality of whole communities whose children don’t even begin to have the benefi ts of wealthier neighborhoods was no longer theoretical—it was very personal.”

When Voyles got involved with Ethel’s Village, she wanted to make sure students were given access to the same fi eld trip opportunities as her son, who went through Crocker Elementary.

When she learned Ethel Phillips students didn’t go to Sly Park in sixth grade every year—an experience she considers “a rite of passage”—she and her group fundraised to send the whole class. They’ve now sent sixth graders to Sly Park for three years, which she considers a “huge accomplishment.”

Levin, who is CFO for a local commercial real estate fi rm, has a long-standing relationship with the school and its students. She brokered the Soroptimist partnership. Nine years ago, she was fundraising for Girls on the Run, a national nonprofi t that integrates running into experiencebased curriculum for girls in grades third to eighth.

When tasked with selecting a Title I school to sponsor, she picked Ethel Phillips. (Title I schools have at least 40 percent students who qualify for free and reduced lunches. More than 90 percent of Phillips students qualify.)

“I met the kids, the parents, the teachers, the principal, and they were so enthusiastic,” Levin says. “I thought to myself, this is a group we can invest in.”

In December 2012, Levin emailed Ethel Phillips Principal Danny Hernández and asked to meet about partnering to bring the school programming through Soroptimist. The fi rst project was Reading Partners, where volunteers read to students to increase literacy.

In nearly a decade since that fi rst project, the Soroptimist group has made many contributions. Thousands of free books have been distributed through Lunch Library. Countless classes have taken fi eld trips to Sly Park, SMUD’s Camp Curiosity and Discovery Museum. There are careers days, tutoring (including online math and reading programs) and after-school art clubs. Families have received gifts, clothes, food, school supplies and more.

In addition to Ethel’s Village, Soroptimist members work with other local nonprofi ts, including WEAVE, My Sister’s House, Food Literacy Center, Mustard Seed School and many others.

Voyles hopes the success will inspire others to pitch in. She encourages service clubs to “really get down in the weeds and adopt a school—not just give money for a one-time thing, but really engage and become part of it.”

Levin agrees, saying, “When you want to have an impact, you have to think globally and act locally. We’ve had the opportunity to do that at Ethel Phillips. It’s a tremendous partnership.”

For information, visit sacmetrosoroptimist.org.

Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Previous profi les can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @ insidesacramento. n

TIMOTHY SCOTT

Celebrating his first year in Sacramento!

HAIRSTYLIST

FOR MEN AND WOMEN

We can make you look

BETTER than just your best!

Why do you refer to "We" when it's just you in your salon?

"I say 'we' because it's a collaboration between the client and myself to create a hairstyle that fits. My consultations are thorough. I ask a lot of questions along with taking into consideration your head and face shape, body build and your daily routine. Between my ideas and your preferences, we create a look that makes you look great and is easy to manage at home as well."

What do you do for people who aren’t open to new ideas?

"I can do your hair any way you want it. But depending on what I see, I may advise to make some adjustments to make it better. What's most important to me is that the client and I understand each other and together we work to create a style that works for them."

How long have you been working by yourself?

"I've been a hairstylist for 34 years, of which 29 have been working solo. I've been selfemployed since I was 23 and I really prefer working alone. It's a completely private session and we can talk about whatever we want without anyone listening in or the distraction of commotion going on around us."

Your salon is very spacious and grand. Did you use a decorator?

"I did it myself. I wanted a space to reflect who I am; open, low key, and fun loving. I didn't want it to look like a hair salon at all."

I had to smile when I saw your mirror ball floating up there.

“Yeah. To me, happiness is a disco ball. It does make people smile, it’s nostalgic, it evokes good energy, and it adds a touch of sophistication. It’s also just fun and I like it in the room.”

You only use Kerastase products. Why is that?

"Kerastase is top of the line in luxury hair care. They have something for every type of hair, which provides me the ingredients to create formulas that will make your hair sublime."

What's one word of advice you would give to people about their hair?

"Don't leave your house without doing your hair. Now, sometimes people wake up late and don't have time to do it. I get it. But your hair is like your bedroom: even if everything is put away, dusted, and vacuumed, if your bed isn't made, your room looks unkept. So, if your hair isn't done, you just don't look as good, no matter how nice or expensive your outfit is."

What do you like most about being a hairstylist?

"I like helping people who genuinely come to me for what I can offer, honest advice and expertise. Now, I always say that I'm not perfect, but I try to be and I do my best to give people what they want and make them happy. I will never say that I'm better than anyone else. There are a lot of talented people in this business. Like I say, I want to make people look better than just their best, and when I've achieved that, THAT is rewarding for me and makes it all worthwhile."

Do you have a hero in the industry? Or is there anyone in the business who inspires you?

"Yes, Tabatha Coffey, hands down. She had a TV show called 'Tabatha's Salon Takeover' where she coached struggling salon owners on how to run a business. I think she's tremendous."

How do you keep up with your profession?

"I go to hair shows and take classes all the time. Sometimes I'll go to a class that I've been to before. You'll always see or hear something that makes you go, 'Ah, right'. The hands on classes are my favorite. That's the best way to learn a new technique or to learn about a new product. The classes can get expensive, but there's real value in self-improvement and keeping current. They're fun to go to and I see a lot of creativity that inspires me."

What services do you offer? What services do you offer?

"I do precision hair cutting, hair coloring including highlighting, and hair smoothing."

Do you have a favorite?

"I like all aspects of doing hair. Although, I don't do permanent waves anymore because I never liked the way they look and I think they're too damaging to the hair."

Are your clients exclusive?

"No. Everyone is welcome. My door is open to men and women of all walks of life.

I do think however, the relationship with your stylist IS exclusive. I have learned not to try and make something work when it isn't or win over a difficult client. I strongly suggest that people read through my website, click on the links to watch my TV interviews, and read my Yelp reviews. Even the bad ones.

My only requirement is that you schedule your own appointment through the website. The website walks you through all the necessary information needed to book the appointment. I cannot make appointments over the phone or by walking in. I prefer not to be distracted during a session out of respect to the client. Doing it online is easy, instant, and convenient."

www.timothyscottsalon.com

3330 Folsom Blvd. at 34th St. in East Sacramento