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What’s a Mani-Mixer?

A Mani-Mixer is a 90 minute event at a shelter where you bring friends and family to volunteer to do manicures for domestic violence survivors and their children with products donated by Jamberry.

We believe when women begin to care for themselves they build confidence, and confidence gives women the power to stand on their own. Self-care is an important step in building confidence and self-reliance. But for victims, having the time and means to focus on themselves isn’t easy.  You can help by providing a little pampering  and relaxation to survivors of domestic violence and their families.

Who doesn’t love the pick-me-up of freshly done nails? Such a little thing can make a big difference. Come volunteer for an hour or two and provide a simple manicure and some mingling to women and their children at your local domestic shelter.
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Jamberry provides the materials, all you need to provide is your time and heart! If you can paint your own nails, you can definitely paint the nails of another! Don’t want to paint nails?…sign up to entertain the kids. We all know mom can’t relax if the kids are restless. Perhaps you are great at playing games, love to dance, or want to provide a craft for the children.  We can use your time and talents. The “Mani-Mixer” is a fun, relaxing event for survivors, their families, and you!

Jamberry provides the materials, you provide the heart

Mani-Mixer e-Kit

So you are ready to get started with your Mani-Mixer?
Everything you need for a successful event is provided below.

1. Locate a Shelter

Locate a shelter near you.

Once you have located a shelter, please email brooke@fadv.org to verify that there is not a coordinating consultant already assigned to that organization.

2. Plan Your Mani-Mixer

Use the Mani-Mixer e-Kit below to help you plan your mixer. The e-Kit contains sample emails, contains marketing materials, and instructions to ensure a great event.

3. Hold Your Event

Your event will be great. Remember your training, be kind, and be flexible. This event is for the survivors, so give them a moment of escape from crisis and be respectful of the facility and their rules and desires.

* For UK Shelter search
* For AU Shelter search

Mani-Mixer Webinar

Getting Started

1. Find a local Domestic Violence Service Provider near you.
2. Follow the step-by-step instructions found on the e-Kit. When contacting a shelter you can send them FADV’s Introductory Email found here.
3. If the organization is not interested in the Mani-Mixer program, but might be interested in other FADV resources, have them fill out this Shelter Participation Form. The form is also provided in the Introductory Email.
4. If the organization is interested in the Mani-Mixer program, continue to “Scheduling Your Event.”

Sample Email

Use this sample email to contact the organization you have been approved to approach.

Downloadable PDF
​e-Kit

Want to download this content so you can take it with you when you are offline? Just click this section.

Mani-Mixer Webinar

Watch the Mani-Mixer Webinar for step-by-step instructions as well as the materials needed to have a successful event.

DV Organization Interest

Is the organization you are working with interested in participating in additional FADV programs like Financial Grants and Product Grants? If so, have them complete this form.

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Scheduling Your Event

1. You’ve identified an interested organization, the next step is to schedule an in-person meeting with the shelter’s Volunteer Coordinator where you can tour the facility and get a look at the space available and select a mutually convenient date for the event. Also get an estimate of attendees from the shelter.  We advise that you have a ratio of 1 manicurist for every 2-3 guests.
2. Once you have scheduled your event, please complete the Mani-Mixer Form so FADV can track the event, and can send a Mani-Mixer box to the organization. All requests for a Mani-Mixer box must be made at least 6 weeks prior to your scheduled event. Mani-Mixer boxes will be shipped directly to the shelter.
3. Ask the Shelter Coordinator the age range and number of children you might expect at this event.  All children are encouraged to get their nails done but some children may have no interest. Therefore, we want to make sure we have entertainment for the kids so  mom can relax!
4. Create an event and include these following volunteer types:
   • Manicurists: You’ll want 2-3 per participant. Manicurists will be applying wraps and/or lacquer to participants during the event.
   • Child-entertainment coordinator: You’ll only need one of these. The Child-entertainment coordinator is responsible for the activity and materials needed for the activity (entertainment ideas are provided in the “Resources” section below).
   • Child-entertainment volunteers: 2-3 depending on the number of children you are expecting. These volunteers will assist the Child-entertainment coordinator.
   • Additional Items: SignUpGenius allows you to list items you might need volunteers to bring such as mini-heaters, blow-dryers, powerstrips, children’s activities, etc.

Friends and family are welcome to volunteer, we just ask that all volunteers are at least 18 years old.  When setting up your event, remember to schedule reminder emails for your volunteers, so the date and time won’t slip their minds. SignUpGenius makes this easy.

1. Make sure your volunteers have gone through the Mani-Mixer Shelter Confidentiality Training
2. Display event posters at the facility 1 week prior to the event: Make your own custom poster here.

Register Your Mixer

You’ve got the shelter on board, now schedule it 6 weeks in advance.

Shelter Training

Make sure you and your guests get trained on proper confidentiality for a shelter settings. No pictures, no person information exchanged.
​Click to take the training.

Mixer Poster

Need some materials to promote the event? Print this 8.5 x 11 poster and fill in the time and place. Work with your shelter’s volunteer coordinator to post them around the shelter.

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The Event

The Week Before the Event

1. Verify that you have enough volunteers for the event. If you don’t, finding enough will be your top priority. Remember, you can invite friends and family who are 18 or older to volunteer.
2. Check in with the Domestic Violence organization to verify that they have received the Mani-Mixer Box and that they are still planning on your Mani-Mixer Event. Kindly ask them to reminder their residents about the event.
3. Gather any materials you will need ahead of time so the day of the event won’t be hectic.

Day of the Event

Set-Up (10-15 minutes)

1. Make sure volunteers know about available parking and where to meet.
2. Allow yourself 15 minutes to set-up.
3. Make sure you provide volunteers with a name tag.
4. Designate a separate area to entertain children.
5. Child-entertainment Coordinator instructs volunteers on activity.
6. Configure tables for manicures (if possible, seat manicurists side-by-side on one side of table(s) and guests on the other. This allows for conversation and “Mixing!”).

Manicures (approx. 1 hour)
*** NO SELLING ALLOWED. Please note that the Mani-Mixer is  purely a volunteer opportunity and should not be used for selling, recruiting or promoting your business. Engaging in business at the Mani-Mixer is a sure way that we will not be invited back to do future Mani-Mixers.

1. Volunteer should have 1-2 participants at a times. This is flexible.  We know that every situation will be different and that you will have to make adjustments when necessary.

Clean-up (15 minutes)

1. Make sure tables are back to their original place.
2. Clean up all garbage.
3. Sweep floors.
4. Remaining product should be left with the shelter.

Total time should be about 90 minutes

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Post-Event

Ask volunteers about their experience.  If they have any suggestions or comments, make note of them.  Submit volunteer hours spent before and during the event and any feedback via the Mani-Mixer Post-Op Form. For any other feedback, please contact Brooke Muir – brooke@fadv.org. Thanks so much for your help and support!

Questions

If you have any questions, please contact Brooke via email at Brooke@fadv.org or by phone at 801.210.0218.

Send Feedback

Now that your event is over, let us know what kind of impact you had and how you would improve the experience for next time.