The United Luz Foundation Hosts Pamper Me Party For DV Victims

On May 7, dozens of women of all backgrounds, with similar stories, gathered at the Manhattan Family Justice Center for a day dedicated to making them feel like queens. United Luz Foundation’s annual Pamper Me Pretty: Empowering Survivors Through Fashion & Wellness program celebrated and served survivors of domestic violence and sex trafficking currently living in shelters and safe houses.

According to the press release, “It featured a curated shopping experience, uplifting conversations centered on mental health and self-care, and a custom candle bar led by our experience sponsor, MadeNu. Lead support included raffle prizes, self-care and wellness gifts, from Manic Panic and beautifully curated gift bags — along with Cipriani’s iconic meringue cake, generously provided by MLM Management in care of Cipriani — plus additional contributions from our in-kind partners.”

Sky Heavens founded The United Luz Foundation in 2016 in honor of her mother, Luz, “who transitioned in 2012 after a long battle with mental health challenges.” We spoke to Heavens about her foundation, the pamper event, which has uplifted over 1,500 mothers and over 300 children to date, and her own experience with domestic violence.

HelloBeautiful: Tell us about the United Luz Foundation. What inspired you to create it?

Sky Heavens: In my effort to heal, I began volunteering with other nonprofits. I knew I wanted to give back, speak up, and raise awareness around mental health — especially depression. But at the time, in 2016, the word depression was taboo. Many organizations were hesitant to use the word or talk about it openly. So I decided to create something of my own — a foundation named after my mother, Luz, which means light in Spanish. I wanted to open doors for others by shining a light on the issues my mother and I both lived through. United Luz Foundation was born out of that purpose — to raise awareness around mental health and depression, and to create safe spaces where women, youth, and children could feel seen, celebrated, and empowered to honor the light within themselves.

HB: What is the mission/purpose?

SH: The United Luz Foundation is committed to raising awareness to mental health and domestic violence by providing empowering platforms, essentials, and supportive resources to women and youth living in domestic violence safe houses, shelters, and underserved communities. Our mission is to help restore hope, rebuild self-esteem, and foster self-love and care through every initiative.

HB: Why are you so passionate about domestic violence awareness and giving back to DV victims/survivors?

SH: My passion for domestic violence awareness comes from lived experience — it’s deeply personal. My mother was a survivor, and as a child, we lived in a domestic violence safe house. Years later, as a teen mom, I found myself in a toxic, life-threatening relationship and also ended up in a domestic violence safe house. I know firsthand what it feels like to live in hiding, to start over after having to leave everything behind for the safety of my life, and to feel unseen. I’m living proof that healing and rebuilding are possible – and if I could do it as a teen at that time, so can you. That’s why I’ve always been passionate about giving back and creating safe, affirming spaces where survivors can feel seen, celebrated, and validated.

HB: Tell us about the “Pamper Me Pretty” Mother’s Day & Wellness Program. How many women has it helped?

SH: I’ve been curating the United Luz Foundation Pamper Me Pretty since 2017 in honor of Mother’s Day and Mental Health Awareness Month. My mother’s funeral — or as I like to call it, her life celebration — was held on Mother’s Day, and I wanted to turn that day of mourning into one of healing, purpose, and joy. There are three versions of the program: our signature edition and a Mommy & Me version, where we create a safe, uplifting space for mothers and children to connect and heal together. Through both versions, we’ve offered makeovers, professional photoshoots, self-care gifts, wellness workshops, and inspiring guest speakers. What makes this program truly special is the energy. Many of our volunteers are survivors themselves or have lost a mother, or battled mental health challenges. It’s always an emotional, beautiful experience — with tears of joy from the women we serve, and deep gratitude from our volunteers and team. You can feel the love in the room.

This year, Pamper Me Pretty: Empowering Survivors Through Fashion & Wellness will provide a special Mother’s Day giveaway to Black and Latina mothers currently living in safe houses and shelters. We’re gifting professional attire for court appearances and job interviews, spring clothing, self-care essentials, and featuring inspiring guest speakers who are also survivors, sharing their stories, tools for wellness, and messages of empowerment. These women have had to leave everything behind to protect themselves and their children. This program is about reminding them that they are still worthy, still beautiful, and never alone.

HB: Why did you choose the theme of empowerment and healing through fashion, beauty, and connection?

SH: As a teen mom living in a domestic violence safe house, I used to give makeovers to the women there every Tuesday — doing their hair, makeup, and teaching them how to do it,   just to lift their spirits. That simple act of care became a moment of healing and sisterhood. It planted the seed for what would eventually become Pamper Me Pretty. Fashion and beauty have always been therapeutic for me. The more broken I felt inside, the more I would get dressed up just to simply go to the store, lol I would do the most!  It was my way of reclaiming my identity and self-worth at that time.  I’ve always expressed myself through fashion and beauty as a form of survival and healing.

When survivors feel seen, valued, and cared for, they begin to reconnect with their own power. And when that’s combined with community, self-care, mental health awareness/wellness, and emotional support — that’s where true healing begins.

Sky Heavens’ United Luz Foundation Hosts Pamper Me Event For Domestic Violence Survivors  was originally published on ionehellobeautiful.staging.go.ione.nyc