My name is Ashtyn McCall. I am a NYS-licensed cosmetologist with an MA in Psychology, and I’m raising money for a cause I deeply believe in: grooming should be accessible to everyone. I want to provide grooming services to people who cannot afford them. However, I don’t want to exploit this cause on social media. At the same time, I have a family to support and need to earn a healthy living wage. I specialize in hairstyling and locs, and I plan to partner with a nail technician and an esthetician in the future.

Before the extras—highlights or perms, lash extensions or laser facials, acrylics or press-ons—there’s basic, necessary grooming. Some people can take care of these needs themselves, while others cannot. The fact is, hair hygiene matters. Nail hygiene matters. Skin hygiene matters. Grooming is not just a luxury; it’s a necessity. Being unkempt or disheveled is often seen as a sign of untreated mental illness and a symptom of poverty. I’m not sure who first introduced drop-in showers for people experiencing homelessness, but I do know that access to them has changed lives. Everyone deserves to be clean. Providing access to proper grooming will change lives just as much.

I know this firsthand. I have experienced homelessness. Having access to basic grooming made an immense difference in my journey. People who know of me but don’t really know me might think, She was homeless? When? Because I didn’t look like my circumstances. I was able to maintain my appearance, which allowed me to feel good about myself. I was able to present my best self and ultimately change my situation. I’m not saying proper grooming is a cure for homelessness, but it does matter. It makes a huge difference, and it should be available to everyone.

Since 1972, Covenant House has opened its doors to more than 1.5 million young people experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking. I have partnered with Covenant House, in a limited capacity, to provide hair grooming services to their residents. However, I want to fully dedicate myself to providing these services full-time—at Covenant House New York (CHNY) and other similar organizations. My goal is to make accessible grooming available year-round.

• A young adult experiencing homelessness who made it through high school deserves to feel confident and proud at their graduation.

• A mother caring for her children deserves to feel confident and presentable when job hunting or interviewing.

• Children experiencing homelessness with their families deserve to attend school with confidence.

The proceeds from this project will allow me to provide these services to multiple organizations. Just as I’ve done for CHNY residents, I can offer these services full-time—while also supporting my own family.

The picture on this account is from when I was homeless. Even then, I was able to feel beautiful, confident, and proud. I later became a college graduate.

If you believe in this mission, please share this link. If you are able to donate, I would deeply appreciate your support. This is my passion, and I want to dedicate my career to this cause while ensuring my family’s well-being.

Every penny helps provide these services freely. You can even book an appointment for someone you know who has fallen on hard times.

Every minute counts. Every head counts. Every dollar counts.