Shirley Raines Wins CNN Hero Of The Year, Her NPO Beauty 2 The Streetz Explored
3 min read
Honoree Shirley Raines (Beauty 2 the Streetz) attends the 15th annual CNN Heroes All-Star Tribute at the American Museum of Natural History on Sunday, Dec. 12, 2021, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Shirley Raines, the winner of CNN’S 2021 Hero Of The Year but, people are excited to know more about her works. Well, we bring you the latest update about Shirley Raines and her works for men and women residing on Los Angeles’ Skid Row. She dedicated her award to her children and her inspiration and said this surely; not been easy. Shirley said in front of you stand the broken woman as she got emotional. Let us meet Shirley Raines from Beauty 2 the Streetz.
Who Is Shirley Raines?
Shirley Raines, 54-year-old, is a mother of six and the founder of a non-profit organization for which she received the honor. Shirley is the woman behind Beauty 2 the Streetz, and it aids the homeless. The non-profit organization supplies food, clothing, hair, hygiene kits, and makeup services to the residents of LA in huge numbers. She founded this non -profit organization in 2015 and dedicated her life to this. Along with the award Shirley has received award money of $100,000 to scale up her good deed. Shirley Raines received the honor on Sunday night; and was selected by voters. The voters selected her out of the Top 10 CNN Hero Finalists in 2021. The show was hosted by Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa on Sunday, 12 December.
When she received the award she remembered her late son and shared that she is a mother without a son. She said, there are a lot of people on the street without a mother. This feels like it is a fair exchange to her. Shirley added that my son did not come out for 30 years. It was 30 years’ worth of tomorrow before she even saw the break of day. Shirley said that it will, be a lie if, she says, that she was always happy.
It (her services) did not take away the pain of her son dying, but she has gotten better certainly. She dedicated her works to her son, the reason behind it. Demetrius Jay Stephens Jr was 2-year-old when Shirley lost her in 1987 and remembered him. Shirley said this is a pain-driven nonprofit organization, and that is the reason why she fought so hard for it.
What Is Beauty 2 The Streetz?
Shirley Raines founded Beauty 2 the Streetz and works with people for homeless people. The nonprofit organization has been a mainstay on Skid Row for the past six years. Beauty 2 the Streetz provides free food, clothing, and hair and makeup facilities to people. Shirley founded Beauty 2 the Streetz with a friend from the church. She joined; the church on a feeding mission to find the purpose of her life after her son’s demise. In an interview, Shirley said; that it was like she found her forgotten family.
The goal of Raines is to make the homeless feel human whether, that means a haircut, a facial, a hearty meal, or a hug. Shirley, along; with her volunteers, works for the people’s welfare at Skid Row. She informed that people need physical warmth, and due to the pandemic, they stopped giving salon services. Beauty 2 the Streetz is an outdoor beauty salon that provides essentials to the homeless such; as a haircut, a substantial meal, or even a hug. Initially, Beauty 2 the Streetz was funded; by Raines’ pocket and gave all she had.
According to sources, her non-profit organization not only serves 400 people but also offers salon services and especially connections. The salon services include showers, hair wash, coloring, makeup, and wigs. Shirley started live-streaming her work on Instagram that helped Beauty 2 the Streetz helped to grow. Many famous makeup brands, hairdressers, and others begin reaching her to offer their support and help.
Shirley Raines Won CNN Hero Of The Year
By 2019 there; were more than two dozen volunteers to help and dedicate their time to Beauty 2 the Streetz. In 2019, Beauty 2 the Streetz registered as an official non-profit organization. Raines informed she never wanted to leave when she saw Skid Row. She worked day and night during pandemic providing medical kits, sanitizers, and masks. Shirley provided lunches even during the pandemic, and before the pandemic, she used to prepare 400 meals in a week. Raines has been a symbol to have hope! Her hard work did not get unrecognized as she was selected; by people to be CNN Hero of the year.
