HFH family residences recently set aside a day just for teens with “Teen Time”—a time for youth ages 13–17 to enjoy a space of their own to recharge, reset, and have some fun. There was free food, fresh haircuts and styling, spa treatments, gift bags, raffle prizes, and other activities for teens to enjoy.
Local barbers and hair stylists helped make the day possible, including TriniTrimz’s Subtle Art Grooming Studio, MirHairCare, and Westchester Barber & Beauty Academy, who provided haircuts and styling.
While HFH programs provide activities for kids of all ages, Teen Time was an opportunity to intentionally celebrate teenagers and create a space specifically for them.
“Kids don’t come with instructions, but one thing I’ve learned is that they love to be recognized,” said Gretchen Hernandez, HFH Deputy Executive Director. “As they get older, we often forget how much that recognition means, which is why events like Teen Time are so important. They remind teenagers, who are entering the final stage of child development and often need the most support, that they still matter.”
The day also gave teens a chance to explore their creativity and interests. HFH Recruitment Specialist Shelly Melinda Landrau volunteered to lead a nail workshop, sharing skills she has developed through her own small business—Amore Nails By Shelly—designing press-on nails.
Shelly spoke with teens about her business and showed them how to design and apply nails themselves. The activity offered a fun, hands-on experience while also giving the teens an example of how a creative interest can develop into something more.
Participating in Teen Time brought back memories for Shelly of Career Day she attended when she was around their age. After hearing someone speak about working in human resources, she remembers thinking, “This is something I want to do.” That early exposure ultimately helped inspire the career she has today. At Teen Time, she had a chance to provide a similar kind of exposure through another one of her interests. One girl even shared with Shelly that she hopes to become a nail technician herself one day.
“Through sharing my experience with my small business and designing press-on nails, I hoped the teens would leave knowing that they are capable, that their creativity has value, and that something they enjoy can grow into a skill, career, or business,” Shelly said. “Most importantly, I wanted them to leave feeling more confident in themselves, their creativity, and what they can achieve.”
