![Ta Wilks gives a haircut to Alan Williams during a reYOUvenate beauty outreach. [ASHLEIGH WILDE/NEWS BULLETIN]](http://127.0.0.1/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/ghows-DA-a41c333e-2303-4173-842b-efdd90842ee0-9466d7a6.jpeg)
CRESTVIEW — The nonprofit organization reYOUvenate, a beauty outreach, has been serving the homeless for almost a year.
Once a month the organization, founded by Mekala and Ta Wilks, gives out free haircuts, washes, facials, manicures and toiletries at the Crestview Area Shelter for the Homeless.
The organization spent the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday providing their services.
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“I haven’t seen anyone in Crestview do anything like this,” Mekala said. “Just because you’re homeless, I think you should still be able to get these things.”
Mekala’s love for all things hair and makeup are a major part of why the organization does the monthly salon-type events. According to Mekala, they serve an average of 30-45 people each month.
“We want this to be as fun as and as fulfilling as possible,” Mekala said. “I want them to step into a salon and get service like it.”
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Alan Williams, who has been to the last two events for a haircut, said he is thankful for the organization.
“I think it’s great,” Williams said. “It’s just a big help all around. You can’t go anywhere and get your hair cut for free.”
According to Mekala, the organization can always use toiletries but they are also in need of hair stylists who would be willing to give haircuts each month.
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Mekala and Ta said they both hope that others would see that even though someone is homeless, they’re still a person.
“We want people to understand that homelessness is a real thing,” Ta said. “We just want to make people feel like people. We are no better than them.”
To give donations to the organization, contact Mekala at reyouvenate.beauty.outreach@gmail.com or call 850-612-7499. You can also drop donations off at Joy Fellowship Church, located at 5978 Old Bethel Road.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Local nonprofit gives free salon services to homeless