Hairdresser volunteers at Shelter of Flint

Lorraine Morrisette was at work one day at Wild Side Salon in Davison and was tired of hearing all the negativity from her clients.

She asked herself, "What can I do to make the negative positive?" The thought wouldn't go away — a sign, she laughed, that "God is speaking to you telling you to do something." She told a client about her desire to do good, and her client introduced her to Sara Harris, program director at Shelter of Flint's emergency shelter for women and children.

Since August, Morrisette and a friend, Margie Love, have spent every other Monday at the Shelter of Flint, pampering and styling women and children. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Morrisette and Love style and cut hair, wax eyebrows and do nails.

"Anything that makes them feel better, we do," Morrisette said.

The service is available free to anyone living in the Shelter or coming in to see a social worker or use the Shelter's services.

Some women are talkative, some aren't, Morrisette said, but often the women become more open over time.

One woman revealed to her she was living at the Shelter because her house burned down.

Teen girls have told her of parents that don't care for them, boyfriends that have abused them, how they feel broken down and used.

She said she and Love always say positive things to clients. "We don't judge them in anyway. That alone makes the difference."

Morrisette tries to give the women a self-esteem boost, she said. Being pampered and feeling more attractive helps build confidence.

The program has been a success.

"To me it doesn't feel like I'm doing that much, but the staff say when I leave, the residents talk about me," Morrisette said. "People don't realize there are people out there — strangers — who care about them. It makes a big difference for them," she said.

Morrisette has been a hairdresser for 18 years. She grew up on the East Side and went to school at St. Mary's, near Shelter of Flint. Morrisette, her husband and two children live in Columbiaville. But, she says, her roots are still in Flint. The deterioration of her old neighborhood saddens her and she hopes to help bring a positive change.

Love, her partner, is unemployed. Volunteering at the Shelter makes her thankful she can do something to help, Morrisette said.

Morrisette's Wild Side clients are impressed by what she does. Some bring donations for Morrisette to take to the Shelter, she said.

Morrisette is planning on volunteering her services at the Shelter as long as she can. She hopes for a small salon space at the Shelter so others can do this, too. A recent special event for children attracted local barbers, so she knows the interest is there in the community. She is always encouraging people to volunteer, she said.