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A Special Day Of Beauty For Homeless Women In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Christian organization that serves the homeless provided beauty services Monday to needy women at the group's West Philadelphia location.

Executive Director Brian Jenkins says it's the 10th year Chosen 300 Ministries has held its "Giving Back the Gift Hair Salon."

"There's hair stylists, makeup artists, massage therapists, people doing nails," Jenkins said.

All volunteering their time and services, like founding stylist Rhonda Crosson.

"When I see that I can bring someone to tears, just giving back the gift God gave me," Crosson said. "The main thing women say is that people forgot about them. I'm grateful that they can see we do care."

Yovonne Arango says it's a chance to luxuriate in something many of us take for granted.

"It's just so beautiful, being with the women, and just the fact that these women took the time to come here and help us. I got my hair washed, curled, straightened, and everything."Arango said. "It always feels good to have somebody's fingers in your hair, and massage your head, and have somebody else wash your hair."

It was East Falls salon owner Crystal Kelly's first time at the annual event.

"It's such a good, humbling feeling to be able to give back to women who are in transition, and just need an uplift," Kelly said, "and the fact that Chosen 300 provides that for the community is amazing."

And Rosalie Jones is grateful for the opportunity.

"I'm going to praise the Lord any old how, and get beautified today, because it's my day," she said, "and I'm a V.I.P."

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