Touching lives

Masseuse gets Women's Club grant to help single moms

Craig L. Moran/viewGlen Alex of Massage Advantage hopes to have her Ethel?s Helping Hands program running by fall. Alex?s current clients, professional health care workers and single mothers who don?t have custody of their children aren?t eligible. craig L. Moran/viewMasseuse Glen Alex works on a client at her business, Massage Advantage, inside the Canyon Falls Spa, 7321 W. Lake Mead Blvd. Alex recently received a $500 Dare to Dream grant from the Women?s Club of Summerlin to benefit Ethel?s Helping Hands, a program she started in memory of her mother to offer free massages for single mothers and caregivers. Advertisement

Some people honor their late mother's efforts with memories and a photo album. Glen Alex is honoring hers through a foundation program.

The G Alex Foundation is setting up a program called Ethel's Helping Hands. The "hands" part refers to Alex's profession. She is a masseuse. Her business is Massage Advantage, located in Canyon Falls Spa, 7321 W. Lake Mead Blvd.

The program's focus is single women raising a family and family caregivers.

Her mother, Ethel Doris Mays, raised 10 children as a single mother. All grew up learning about respect, self-reliance and the importance of an education. All went on to become professionals.

"She was one tough cookie," Alex said of her mother. "She was hard to please, but I've come to appreciate how she provided for us -- food, clothes, school -- and nobody messed with us because of her ... She was a mama bear."

But mama bears can't fend off health problems such as diabetes and colon cancer. Mays died April 2. The date was not lost on her children. It was the birthday of a favorite aunt who had died 20 years before.

"We like to say that Ida Mae was there that day, waiting to welcome her," Alex said.

The foundation was set up in July 2009 and recently got a boost from the Women's Club of Summerlin when it received a $500 Dare to Dream grant specifically for Ethel's Helping Hands.

Women's Club of Summerlin Committee Chariwoman Irene Olender said the grants normally go to women who want to advance their education, but the committee decided Alex should be one of this year's seven winners.

Olender spoke of her daughter, a doctor, and how massages help her de-stress from her job. Her son-in-law and her husband also go for massages.

"I have three people in my family who benefit from it," Olender said of massages. "So, I guess it helps."

The grant will provide as many as 20 single mothers with one free massage session under the Ethel's Helping Hands program. As Alex's other profession is social work dealing with dialysis patients, the free massages also will apply to those who are caregivers for family members.

Applications for the program are available at www.massageadvantage lv.com. Each will be judged based on need. A committee of three will decide who will receive a free massage.

Ethel's Helping Hands is not open to Alex's current clients, professional health care workers or single mothers who do not have custody of their children.

The foundation is expected to be up and running by fall.

Jayne Masden is a client. She attested to Alex's ability to soothe away a stressful day.

"She takes you to a whole other level to relax," she said.

As part of the program, Alex plans to create a book for recipients to take home, one that suggests ways to de-stress and live a healthier life.

"Hopefully, this will get them interested in self-care, whether they come back to see me or not," she said.

Hilliary Heard has been a client for two years. When she heard of the foundation, she said she wasn't surprised that Alex had set it up.

"It's right in line with Glen," she said. "She's a visionary, always creating something new."

Contact Summerlin and Summerlin South View reporter Jan Hogan at jhogan@viewnews.com or 387-2949.