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.
-Ends-