Shirley Raines, Tireless Advocate for the Unhoused and Founder of Beauty 2 The Streetz, Dies at 58
The world is mourning the loss of a woman whose compassion reshaped lives and restored dignity where society too often looked away. Shirley Raines, beloved nonprofit founder and CEO of Beauty 2 The Streetz, has passed away at the age of 58, the organization confirmed Wednesday morning.
“Ms. Shirley dedicated her life to serving others and made an immeasurable impact on homeless communities throughout Los Angeles and Nevada,” Beauty 2 The Streetz shared in a statement. “Through her tireless advocacy, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment, she used her powerful media platform to amplify the voices of those in need and to bring dignity, resources, and hope to some of the most underserved populations.”
For years, Raines became a constant presence on Los Angeles’ Skid Row—offering beauty services, meals, showers, and above all, human connection. What began as simple acts of care evolved into a trusted lifeline for people who had been stripped of visibility and worth.
“The reality of Skid Row is that it took a long time to earn that trust,” Raines shared in a 2019 interview. “I’m asking someone to close their eyes, lay their head back, and be vulnerable. It took years of coming back every single Saturday.”
Originally from Compton and later a Long Beach resident, Raines’ journey into service was deeply personal. After the devastating loss of her child, she turned to feeding the unhoused as a way to give back—and to survive her own grief. Along the way, she noticed something profound: the women she met longed not just for food, but for beauty, for normalcy, for recognition.
“Of course makeup is not going to take them off the streets,” she said. “But it’s a small escape from this terrible reality they’re living in. They look in the mirror and see something other than homelessness. It brings them back to who they were.”
A mother of six who worked full-time in the medical field for 26 years, Raines somehow found the strength to cook meals for 400 to 600 people every week—often from her one-bedroom apartment. Sleep was scarce, but purpose was abundant.
“Monday through Friday, someone is saying, ‘Get out of the way, you bum,’” she once said. “On Saturday, someone is saying, ‘You’re important. You’re special.’”
Raines never positioned herself as separate from the people she served. She spoke openly about surviving trauma, abusive relationships, grief, and the fear of nearly becoming unhoused herself. That shared truth created a bond that no program or policy ever could.
“I’m a woman who actually lived this life,” she said. “I get it. I understand. But you’ve got to just get through it.”
In 2021, Raines’ impact was recognized on a global stage when she was named CNN Hero of the Year. Accepting the honor, she thanked her children—including her late son, whose memory fueled her mission.
“This surely hasn’t been easy,” she said through tears. “I stand before you a very broken woman. I am a mother without a son—and there are a lot of people in the streets without a mother. I feel like it’s a fair exchange.”
Details surrounding Raines’ passing have not yet been released.
“We humbly ask that you keep Ms. Shirley’s family, loved ones, and the Beauty 2 The Streetz family in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” the organization shared. “Further information will be shared as it becomes available.”
Snubb3d Take
Shirley Raines didn’t just serve the unhoused—she saw them, honored them, and reminded the world that dignity is a human right. Her legacy lives in every mirror she held up, every plate she filled, and every life she touched with compassion instead of judgment.
Rest in power, Ms. Shirley. Your light remains.
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