Formerly homeless hairdresser gives free makeovers to homeless girls

By Jennifer Earl CBS News August 3, 2017, 4:58 PM

Two decades ago, Vanessa Howard was a homeless single mother of three with only $1.75 to her name.

During that time, the woman from Tampa, Florida, admits she was — at one point — suicidal. A victim of domestic violence, she had first gotten pregnant as a teen and left her "drug infested" childhood home, not sure where to go next.

"I cried out one day," Howard told CBS News. "I was tired of being homeless, tired of being alone and prayed for help."

The next day, Howard hopped on a city bus with her three little girls and headed to look at an apartment, hoping that this time, the landlord would take a chance on her. When she finally met the building owner, he said something she didn't expect.

"He was like, 'I don't know you, but I feel like you should have this place,'" Howard described. "It was from there that I found hope and restoration. I just wanted to pay it forward."

Howard got her fresh start working in local beauty salons over the years, earning enough money to care for her children.

Four years ago, Howard, who's now 62, did something she never dreamed was possible: she opened her own salon. She named it the Giving Hands Hair Salon because she planned to use the studio to give back to her community.

And that's exactly what she's been doing.

Once a month, Howard comes into the salon on her Sunday off to give free haircuts to the homeless.

"I know the struggle. That's why I give so hard," Howard said. "I'm looking to help restore women. I'm looking to help restore children, because, again, that pain is a part of my purpose."

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