Upcoming Cut-A-Thon helps homeless families

WEST CHESTER » On Saturday, Sept. 8, the Balance Hair Spa team of beauty professionals will be hosting a Cut-A-Thon at their Studio location at 150 East Gay Street in downtown West Chester from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This year they will be donating 100 percent of the proceeds for all their services to The Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children.

For an impoverished family, an unexpected expense or a decrease in income can result in eviction and homelessness. Friends Association helps homeless or near homeless families stabilize their lives and find or maintain permanent housing. They focus on families with children, who are unintended victims of homelessness.

By the time most families reach out to Friends Association they have already tried everything to provide stable housing for their children. They’ve borrowed money for rent, taken second jobs, and slept on couches in relative’s homes. For some it is a matter of pride and some are fearful due to the way shelters are portrayed on TV and movies.

As one young mother, Aleesa, summed up “I’m willing to do the work. I understand my choices have landed me here. I hadn’t intended to be a single parent. I’m not looking for handouts, but sometimes when I’m juggling all of these things, I need some help.”

The money raised will help families like Aleesa’s get back on their feet. Aleesa’s journey into her new apartment was both complicated and successful! It all pays off in the end, when these hardworking families move into stable housing.

Through programs like the Emergency Family Shelter, Homeless Prevention Programs, and Outreach to Homeless Families, Friends Association address the needs of a wide range of families, for those who have become homeless to those who only need rental assistance for a limited time. Last year with the help of donors, Friends Association prevented 270 children and 122 families from being homeless.

During the Cut-a-thon donations for hair cuts are $20, blow dry, $10 and brow wax and shape, $10 and chair massage, $1 per minute.

For more information contact Biff Piner at Biff@ balancehairspa.com or (484)8728457.