In the heart of Los Angeles, amidst the concrete jungle of Skid Row, a new light comes forward with the non-profit Beauty 2 The Streetz. This organization, founded in 2017, has become a lifeline for those experiencing homelessness, offering not just basic necessities but also a touch of humanity and dignity, by bringing beauty back to these individuals.
The Need for Compassion
The homeless population in major cities across the United States faces numerous challenges daily. Beyond the obvious lack of shelter, many individuals struggle with maintaining personal hygiene, accessing proper nutrition, and preserving their self-worth. Beauty 2 The Streetz recognized this critical gap in services and set out to address it in a unique and impactful way. By focusing on both physical and emotional well-being, the organization aims to restore a sense of beauty to those who aren’t able to give it to themselves.
Fulfilling the Needs
Beauty 2 The Streetz takes a holistic approach to serving the homeless community. Their services go beyond traditional food and clothing donations, encompassing a range of self-care and grooming services that many of us take for granted.
Ms. Shirley Raines started this organization after she had faced houselessness herself, along with other struggles. Ms. Shirley originally got involved through volunteering with other organizations. Eventually, one day she decided to bring a bucket of beauty supplies she had gotten from Sephora and hand them out to women, men, and children in need. After gaining a following large enough she set out on her own, on Skid Row. Her organization started small with just a few volunteers doing what she called “Spiritual CPR”.
Beauty 2 the Streetz successfully fulfills it’s needs by bringing happiness and a general sense of hope to those it reaches. Physical looks are often over looked when someone cannot get the basic needs to survive. Ms. Shirley knows that all needs are just as important to be met.
In an interview with the New York Times she says “Everybody wants to feel clean,” Ms. Raines said. “Everybody wants to feel good about themselves. I have a queen right now, we did her hair purple a couple of weeks ago. I’ve never seen her smile so big. Her hair, all the purple has washed out, but her smile is still the same, because of the lasting effects of all the praise she got when her hair was colored. Those things don’t wash off.”
Ms. Shirley encourages everyone to help out in some way! She knows not one person can do everything, but if everyone does something, change can come. Join the community by checking out Ms. Shirley on TikTok where she already has a large following of over 5 million supporters.
Ella Marinace 
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