The leaders of Come to Him ministries pose for a photo with Son Mai and Mae Pak (Left to Right): Nancy Marriott, Kay Chambers, Mae Pak, Son Mai

The Grand Salon in Brea has brought back its annual Come to Him Ministries Makeover Event event in partnership with Come to Him Ministries (CTH), a local ministry that offers relief to people in unsafe and unhealthy environments. On Jan 23, members and graduates of the women’s shelter of CTH  have a day of beauty and decompression with free haircuts as a symbol of a new beginning. The event took a brief pause due to COVID-19, but now, it has been brought back with the same compassion and joy as before with donations from Buca Di Beppo, Bumble and Bumble and CosmoProf, the event is a “great way for everyone to try to get together and help each other out,” said Mae Pak, a lead hair stylist for the event, “lending a helping hand can make the world so much better.”

Mae Pak does Maria Salas’ hair

Since 2008, the women of CTH have been treated to a “night of beauty,” said Deborah Misserville, an avid volunteer with CTH.  The occasion began when Son Mai, chairman of Iam Beauty Group., got in contact with the leaders of CTH, James and Kay Chambers, through Misserville and a client of the salon. After an array of emails and phone calls, the event finally came to life and has made an impact on women’s lives since 2008. Mai was inspired to “support CTH’s mission to provide [the women] in need with a ‘hand up and not a hand out’ and bring them to the word of God.”

13 hair stylists from The Grand Salon came together to volunteer their time and talents for women in need, making the event a truly collaborative effort. Among them was Mia Pecora, who “was honored to use [her] craft to uplift these amazing women, reminding them of their worth and beauty,” said Pecora. “It reminded [her] how much a small act of kindness such as a free haircut can have a big impact on someone’s life.  It was wonderful getting to know the women [she] worked on and the gratitude they showed will stay with me forever. ” This shared sentiment among the hair stylists highlighted their appreciation for the symbolic transformations their work brings. Even a simple haircut can have a profound effect: “It helps these people get a fresh start.” Said Pak.

The volunteers and leads from CTH also shared their thoughts on how the night of beauty leaves a lasting impression on everyone involved. The women have a night to embrace their girlhood with a makeover to remember. Chambers expressed her excitement, “I’m excited because I know how the ladies feel after they’ve gotten their hair done. They just feel beautiful and cared for and loved, and it’s just a big boost for them,” said Chambers.  

As the night unfolded, the atmosphere was filled with music, laughter, photos, and beauty, creating memories to cherish. By the end of the evening, the women expressed their gratitude for the care and generosity they received. Maria Salas, a participant from CTH, shared, “I feel thankful. It’s amazing for the hairstylists to take time out of their day and volunteer at no cost. I think that’s amazing.” Said Salas. For many, the event symbolized a turning point in their lives. Most battled the most difficult of circumstances from violent partners and households to drug addiction. The night gives the women a space to feel beautiful despite their past, present, and future challenges. Ashleigh Bowman summed it up perfectly: “I feel very loved. I feel very special. I feel very appreciated. I’m looking forward to a new me. Tonight represents a new beginning.” Said Bowman.

Mai plans to bring back the annual event and pursue the same values of compassion and philanthropy through Iam Beauty Group’s other locations, such as Fullerton’s Salon Lujon and Brea’s The Grand Salon, focusing on “the humanity, not vanity of what [they] do.” 

If you are interested in Come to Him Ministries’ mission, learn more at cometohim.com.