A Thing Of Beauty

3 Turning Point participants win a makeover at Remedez HairSpa

  On June 16, inner beauty met outer beauty for three women in UVU’s Turning Point program. Turning Point, which is a community resource for people wanting to expand in a personal, educational and/or professional way, teamed up with Remedez HairSpa in the University Mall to give these women new looks to match their new life. Remedez sponsored the women as part of its Mother’s Day contest and gave each woman $250 worth of services, including a manicure, pedicure, facial, massage, and hair color, cut and style.

  And it was well deserved. All three women have dealt with paralyzing hardships. All three women have risen to the challenge. And all three women will forever be grateful for the learning and love they gained at Turning Point. Meet these three inspiring women, and take a look at their stunning transformations — inside and out.

MARY WILSON (Remedez Hairstylist: Marina)
City American Fork Age 44 Children Four (ages 10 to 23)
Back story Mary has been through much heartbreak. One of her children got hit by a car and flew 62 feet, another fell out of a second story window, and her youngest battled brain cancer (he’s currently in remission, though he still suffers from blindness and other mental handicaps). She enrolled in Turning Point five years ago, and it changed her life. She’s been able to take care of her kids and is currently fulfilling her long-time dream of attending nursing school.
How Turning Point changed her life “I don’t know what I would have done without them. I was so scared and so lost when I first got to them, but they became my family. They love us all so much, and I’m a completely different person because of it.”
What’s next “I’m going to be one of those angels in scrubs. Right now, I’m completing nursing school and loving every minute of it,” Mary says. “I’m dyslexic, and I’ve always been told I was stupid. But now I’m in nursing school getting straight As. It’s been wonderful to realize I’m smart. I have a lot to offer.”
Favorite part of Remedez “The pampering. They’ve been just wonderful.”

KELSEY LUBBEN (Remedez Hairstylist: Jared)
City Payson Age 26 Children Four (oldest is 4, youngest is due in July)
Back story After her husband committed suicide in January, Kelsey was at a loss. “I felt like my husband made a choice for me — he made a choice for me to be a young single mom with four kids.” But after enrolling in the Life Management class at Turning Point, she’s gaining ground. “Turning Point has taught me I don’t have to be a victim. It doesn’t matter what other people’s choices are, I can take control.”
How Turning Point changed her life “It’s hard to put into words,” Kelsey says. “A lot of times you don’t feel like you fit in unless you fit a certain mold, but Turning Point helped me figure out who I am and to be true to myself. There is no mold with Turning Point.”
What’s next “I’m going to UVU in the fall to get my nursing degree, and I’ll be busy raising my four kids.”
Favorite part of Remedez “Everything has been amazing and fun. I really needed this.”

MARY MCLERRAN (Remedez Hairstylist: Becka)
City Orem Age 54 Children Five (ages 21 to 40)
Back story In 1990, Mary’s husband fell 60 feet off a cliff. Her son rushed to the scene and saved his father, but life for the family wasn’t the same for a long time. “She shouldered the burden of two teenagers and two young children while still managing to keep a vigil by her sweetheart’s bed,” says her daughter, Anna McLerran. “My mother is the most beautiful person in the world. If we could afford to, we would treat her like a queen and send her to a relaxing spa on a regular basis.” Mary works full time at a junior high school as an ASL interpreter. She’s currently attending UVU to get her degree in ASL and deaf studies for secondary education.
How Turning Point changed her life “It has provided me with the tools I need to be successful,” Mary says. “The classes they have are life changing and life enhancing. There is a camaraderie among the people who go there. I felt so loved there — so supported.”
What’s next “We’re in a race! All of my kids are in college working toward their degrees, and we’re in a race to the finish. It’ll be fun to see who gets there first.”
Favorite part of Remedez “Oh, the facial! I’ve never had one before, and now I want one every week!”

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