Once a beloved tradition within the Women’s Free Homeless Clinic (WFHC), Self-Care Day was recently revived by last year’s coordinators and is now becoming a meaningful and anticipated part of the clinic once again. What started as a simple idea has grown into a powerful reminder of how much these moments matter. This year, we are proud to have hosted Self-Care Day twice, once in May and again in December, allowing us to reach even more women throughout the year and to meet them in different seasons of need.
The holiday clinic in particular carried a special sense of warmth and celebration as patients gathered just weeks before the holidays. The clinic space felt transformed not just by seasonal touches, but by the energy of connection and care that filled the room. For many of these women, the holidays can be an isolating or difficult time, but Self-Care Day offers a moment of joy and community during what can otherwise be a stressful season.
The clinic offered nail and hair services, all provided with remarkable care thanks to the generosity of our volunteers. Volunteers took their time, listened, and treated each woman with respect and attention, creating an environment where patients felt comfortable, welcomed, and beautiful. For many of the women we serve, opportunities for self-care are rare, and being able to sit down, relax, and be cared for makes a meaningful difference.
One of our current WFHC coordinators, Kaitlyn Sweeney, shared a particularly touching moment from the clinic:
“One woman told me that attending the Self-Care Day clinic in May completely changed how she takes care of herself. She said it helped her feel more motivated to prioritize her own well-being and more confident in her everyday life. At our holiday clinic, she had her hair done for the first time in years and received makeup items that made her feel confident and truly seen. That moment stayed with me and reminded me how meaningful it is to create spaces where women are valued and encouraged to embrace their femininity.”
Another highlight of the day was the beautifully curated gift bags made by the Alpha Phi sorority at UCSB. Each bag was thoughtfully filled with makeup, jewelry, hygiene items, and other special gifts, and lovingly decorated by hand. The care and intention behind each bag were evident, and every woman received one to take home. Receiving a personalized gift just in time for the holidays brought visible excitement and gratitude, and many women shared how meaningful it felt to be thought of and celebrated during this season.
Throughout the day, the clinic was filled with positivity, laughter, and connection. Women uplifted one another, shared stories, and supported each other, while volunteers worked side by side, united by a shared purpose. The space felt alive with warmth and mutual support, serving as a reminder that healing and care can extend beyond medicine.
This sense of connection was deeply felt by volunteers as well. One volunteer, Tajin Syed, reflected on a conversation she had while providing nail services:
“While I was filing one woman’s nails, we started talking about her life and the work she used to do. She shared that she had been a nurse, and spoke thoughtfully about the importance of giving patients autonomy when providing care. As someone currently applying to medical school, hearing her perspective was incredibly meaningful.”
Moments like these highlight the reciprocal nature of Self-Care Day. While volunteers come to serve, they often leave having learned just as much from the women they meet. Through simple acts of listening and presence, volunteers help create an environment where women feel valued and respected, empowering them to open up and share their stories.
Self-Care Day reflects what makes Doctors Without Walls so special: a community that comes together to serve with compassion, creativity, and heart. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our volunteers and the generosity of our community partners and donors, whose support made both Self-Care Days this year possible. As this tradition continues to grow and become re-established as a yearly event, we look forward to creating even more moments of care and empowerment for the women we serve.
BY Lulu Wang, DWW Communications Volunteer
