Shirley Raines, the visionary founder of the nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz, has passed away. She was 58.
According to TMZ, Raines was found unresponsive next to her bed in her Henderson home during a wellness check on Tuesday night.
Beauty 2 The Streetz, a nonprofit organization that provides makeovers to unhoused women, confirmed her passing in a statement.
Ms. Shirley dedicated her life to serving others and made an immeasurable impact on homeless communities throughout Los Angeles and Nevada. Through her tireless advocacy, deep compassion, and unwavering commitment, she used her powerful media platform to amplify the voices of those in need and to bring dignity, resources, and hope to some of the most underserved populations,” the statement read.
”We humbly ask that you keep Ms. Shirley’s family, loved ones, and the Beauty 2 The Streetz family in your prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement continued. “Further information will be shared as it becomes available.”
A cause of death was not released.
A resident of Long Beach, Ms. Shirley offered beauty services, food, showers, and more to the homeless people of Skid Row through her nonprofit.
How Raines Found Her Calling
After the loss of a child, Raines began feeding homeless people, which eventually led to the launch of her own nonprofit.
“The reality of Skid Row is that it took a long time to earn that trust. I’m asking someone to close their eyes, lay their head back, and be vulnerable,” Raines told ABC7 in a 2019 interview. “It took years of coming back every single Saturday.”
“Of course, makeup is not going to take them off the streets. But it’s a small escape from this terrible reality they’re living in,” Raines said. “They look in the mirror and see something other than homelessness. It just brings them back to who they were.”
Although she worked a full-time job and had six children, she cooked meals for 400-600 people every week in her one-bedroom apartment.
”Monday through Friday, someone is saying ‘Get out of the way, you bum,” Raines said. “On Saturday, someone is saying, ‘You’re important. You’re special.’”
For her work, Raines was named the 2021 CNN Hero of the Year. In 2025, she won the NAACP Social Media Personality award.