Thursday 19 April 2018

L’Oréal celebrates a decade of changing lives

Reach for the stars is the message that has been shared with hundreds of care-experienced young people who have been through the innovative social impact programme L’Oréal Face Your Future.

This month sees the 10th anniversary of the annual programme run by L’Oréal New Zealand, in partnership with Fostering Kids NZ.

Since 2009, more than 450 care-experienced young people, aged between 16-18 years, have graduated with new found skills and practical experiences, ranging from learning to give a firm handshake and make eye contact, to motivational workshops and goal setting.

Commenting on the 10th anniversary of the programme, Tanya Abbott, Group Corporate Communications Manager, L’Oréal New Zealand said, “For more than a century, L’Oréal has understood that ethical companies that bring positive change to people’s lives, can bring positive change to the world. It is with this mind-set to share beauty with all, and our strong ethical values, that L’Oréal New Zealand launched the Face Your Future programme a decade ago.”

“The journey we have been on with our participants over the last 10 years has been incredibly humbling and at times challenging, but to see alumni from the programme inspired to follow their dreams is what this partnership initiative is all about.”

“Face Your Future is also an annual highlight for our employees who are highly engaged in the programme and feel incredibly proud of our efforts to make a meaningful difference and change lives for many of these young people.”

Linda Surtees, Chief Executive, Fostering Kids NZ said, “L’Oréal is a fantastic example of how a business can help to improve outcomes for youth in New Zealand. Youth often ask us, “why do they (L’Oréal) do this for us?” They can see that L’Oréal has a genuine desire to help and show youth that they can be all that they want to be. It is amazing to watch the change in the participants during the Face Your Future programme.”

Face Your Future 2016 graduate Ashley Green remembers how cared and supported she felt during the programme. “I left feeling excited and ready to see what the world had for me. Face Your Future gave me confidence in myself and the choices I am able to make for my future. It gave me the extra push I needed and motivated me to study hairdressing, which I absolutely love.”

Since attending Face Your Future, Ashley has been completing a hairdressing apprenticeship through a HITO (Hairdressing Industry Training Organisation) and L’Oreal partnership, which offers ten full barbering, beauty therapy or hairdressing scholarships to Face Your Future graduates.

Over the years, contributors to the programme include many high profile New Zealanders including Ron Mark, musicians Pieter T, Awa, Anika Moa, PNC, sports people including Dillon Boucher and some of the New Zealand Breakers, former All Blacks, and beauty industry leaders Mana Dave, Rodney Wayne, Richard Kavanagh and Lisa Matson.

With a head office in Ellerslie, distribution centre in Otahuhu and a hairdressing academy in the Auckland CBD, L’Oréal New Zealand represents 20 of the company’s international beauty brands. The Company employs over 190 people from more than 20 nationalities in New Zealand. Committed to sustainability, diversity and ethical business practices, L’Oréal also supports not-for-profit organisations including Look Good Feel Better and Sustainable Coastlines, along with Fostering Kids NZ.

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