Oceanside salon helps Bethany House clients

Women facing homelessness or other crises in their lives were treated to a new hairdo and some pampering at Oceanside’s Salon Montáage on July 19. The salon owners reached out to Bethany House, a non-profit that provides emergency shelter and services for women and their children who are facing homelessness.

The need for shelter in Nassau County has grown since Bethany House was founded in 1978. In the 1980’s the organization expanded to a 12-bed facility named Bethany One. Over the years Bethany continued that expansion adding new buildings and expanding the number of people it can support for a night to more than 80.

Salon owner Ronnie Thomas is a member of a networking group called Women to Women. They help women in business and reach out to the community. The idea of pairing with Bethany House came from a networking meeting.

Salon Manager Ali Luke said it was a great experience for everyone. The hairdressers heard the stories and shared the smiles of the women and children. Luke said, “You may not know the effect you have on someone, just a smile or a few words can make a persons day.” She related the story of one woman who is from another country. At home she was a doctor. Now Bethany House is getting her on her feet and she is making progress in her new life.