Help Keep Acqua Hair Studio Alive!
Donation protected
I am reaching out to family and friends to share my mom’s story.
During the morning of May 31, after months of being shut down due to COVID-19, Acqua Hair Studio was getting ready to finally reopen and serve its community in downtown Santa Monica. My mom spent hours preparing her salon in order to ensure the safety of her customers. As a single female, she needed to open up her salon in order to support her livelihood.
Later that afternoon, her years of hard work were destroyed when looters showed up at her salon. We watched helplessly as the news showed footage of her salon, and the stores around her, being broken into and demolished.
My mother opened up her small business in downtown Santa Monica 8 years ago. She grew up in this city and it is also where she singlehandedly raised me and my two brothers. Originally an immigrant from Mexico, she worked tirelessly to make Acqua a fixture in the neighborhood, and built relationships with not only her clients but also those in the area. She is one of the hardest working people I know and has taught her children how to stay positive and understand the value of hard work.
We believe in the messaging of the protests and that change is desperately needed. I also know that my mom is hurting and that she has lost her life savings through the effects that covid-19 and the vandalism and looting had on her business. We appreciate any donations so that she can continue to serve the Santa Monica that she loves and cherishes.
Sincerely,
J Franco, son of Martha Padilla
During the morning of May 31, after months of being shut down due to COVID-19, Acqua Hair Studio was getting ready to finally reopen and serve its community in downtown Santa Monica. My mom spent hours preparing her salon in order to ensure the safety of her customers. As a single female, she needed to open up her salon in order to support her livelihood.
Later that afternoon, her years of hard work were destroyed when looters showed up at her salon. We watched helplessly as the news showed footage of her salon, and the stores around her, being broken into and demolished.
My mother opened up her small business in downtown Santa Monica 8 years ago. She grew up in this city and it is also where she singlehandedly raised me and my two brothers. Originally an immigrant from Mexico, she worked tirelessly to make Acqua a fixture in the neighborhood, and built relationships with not only her clients but also those in the area. She is one of the hardest working people I know and has taught her children how to stay positive and understand the value of hard work.
We believe in the messaging of the protests and that change is desperately needed. I also know that my mom is hurting and that she has lost her life savings through the effects that covid-19 and the vandalism and looting had on her business. We appreciate any donations so that she can continue to serve the Santa Monica that she loves and cherishes.
Sincerely,
J Franco, son of Martha Padilla
Organizer
J Franco
Organizer
Santa Monica, CA
