HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARCHIVES 

Paper: Houston Chronicle
Date: WED 10/18/00
Section: ThisWeek
Page: 03
Edition: 2 STAR

Downtown center offers 
homeless self-esteem boost with hair salon

By ANNE CURREN RHODES, Houston Chronicle correspondent

A downtown center that helps homeless residents has added hair styling to its offerings.

In addition to food, clothing, counseling and medical treatment, the DayBreak Community Center is now offering a full-service hair salon for its homeless clients.

"It really does raise their self-esteem when they have their hair looking right," said Alvine Duggan, a nurse at the center.

The eight-year-old center is operated by St. John's United Methodist Church, 2019 Crawford.

"We literally had to step over the homeless when we were trying to open this church," said Steve Simon, a program manager at the center.

After the church was established, parishioners decided to use the old parsonage to provide some comfort and assistance to the scores of needy people that were living in the neighborhood.

Establishing Bread of Life Inc., a nonprofit organization, the church began tending to the needs of the homeless population. One of the services offered was a haircut.

"We offered haircuts in our old building, but it was not on any regular basis. We had to depend on getting someone to volunteer their time," said Simon.

Late in 1999, the DayBreak Community Center relocated to a new large, multi-purpose building at 1703 W. Gray. Once the primary services were established, Pastors Rudy and Juanita Rasmus expressed the desire to have more dependable hair care service available for clients.

As luck would have it, Ron and Glenda Jemison, third generation owners of the Franklin Beauty School, 4965 Martin Luther King Blvd., were members of the church.

"The pastors approached us with the idea (to open a salon at the center), and we agreed to do what we could," said Glenda Jemison.

The result is a bright, cheerful and immaculate salon with state-of-the-art equipment and tastefully framed art on the walls. Glenda Jemison said that they strove to make the salon more than just a functional place to get a haircut. She and her husband took special pains to provide a place where the clients could feel pampered.

"We had a lot of fun doing this. We've never had a salon before," she said.

Although the other services offered at the center are financed by Bread of Life, the salon has been built and operated entirely by the Jemisons. To date, they have provided the staff, hair care products and equipment.

"We're not wealthy, but we enjoy giving back to the community," said Glenda Jemison. Simon fondly refers to the Jemisons as "our gracious benefactors."

Glenda Jemison says that the project has been very rewarding and they will continue to provide the services, but they are hoping to eventually get some assistance from beauty supply companies and other donors.

"It would be nice to get some help, but regardless, we are not going to shut it down. As long as we have the manpower, we'll be there," she said.

Jemison said that initially she thought that they might have trouble getting operators, but so far, that has not been a problem. Instructors and supervised students from their school often provide the services, but it is not a requirement. They have also had cosmetologists and barbers from the community volunteer.

Ronnie Bordelon says he has volunteered at the salon quite a few times.

"I like coming here. My reward is seeing them smile when they get out of the chair," he said.

The grand opening of the salon was in August. Operating hours are 8:30 a.m.-noon, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The salon is managed by the Jemisons' 27-year-old son, Sean Jemison. Although he makes his living as a music producer, the younger Jemison volunteers his time to keep the shop running smoothly.

"Sean is doing a wonderful job," said his mother. "He does everything from scheduling operators and making sure they have the equipment they need, to keeping the towels clean."

Sean Jemison said that he enjoys helping others and is happy to see the difference that they make.

"When we get here, people are sleeping in front of the building. They come for that hot meal and that haircut," he said.

Although the salon is just getting started, it has already served quite few clients. Three or four operators can provide services to 13 or 14 people each day. Services offered include haircuts, sets, shampoos, relaxers, weaves and permanents.

"We try to do whatever they want," said Sean Jemison.

Although some may consider it wasteful to expend resources on hair care for the homeless, Simon encourages a look at the bigger picture.

"Most of our clients are really down on themselves," he said. "They are filling the void with everything but the proper things. It (hair care) helps to boost their self-esteem and gives them more confidence."

Although he agrees that salon services don't work miracles for everyone, he says that many of their clients are given the confidence to look for a job or make amends with their families.

Glenda Jemison said that they would be delighted to be a part of someone's success story and that she is amazed at the impact they have already had.

"Just sitting in the facility makes some clients feel better," she said.

Her son agrees.

"They come in with frowns and leave with smiles,." he said.

 

St. John's Downtown    2019 Crawford    Houston, TX 77002    (713) 659-3237    (713) 659 2236 Fax