Each week, Shirley Raines and her team of volunteers transform part of Skid Row into an outdoor beauty salon. Her goal: to make the homeless feel human, whether that means a haircut, a facial, a hearty meal or a hug. She is CNN's Hero of the Year.
Shirley Raines, who brings beauty and hope to the men and women living on Los Angeles' Skid Row, is the 2021 CNN Hero of the Year.
As she received her award Sunday, Raines thanked her children including her late son, who inspired her work."This surely hasn't been easy. I stand before you a very broken woman," an emotional Raines said."I am a mother without a son and there are a lot of people in the streets without a mother -- and I feel like it's a fair exchange."Raines was presented with the CNN Hero of the Year award Sunday night by hosts Anderson Cooper and Kelly Ripa.
CNN Heroes: Shirley Raines 06:48"We just had to use our best judgment and figure out some ways to still keep them fed, while keeping them safe, and while keeping us safe," Raines said. Today, as vaccination rates are on the rise and a sense of normality is returning, Raines is offering help by way of food and supplies twice a week and expanding partnerships with local groups to let this often-overlooked population know there is hope."My sun didn't come out for 30 years.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Watch TikTok's top videos of 2021 - CNN VideoTikTok has released its top trends list of 2021, and it's full of drones, bones and joyful tones. These are the most popular TikToks in the US this year.
Read more »
CNN, MSNBC downplay Jussie Smollett conviction, use verdict to bash conservativesCNN and MSNBC have continued to treat Jussie Smollett gently despite him being found guilty on five of the six charges against him stemming from the hate crime hoax he orchestrated in 2019.
Read more »
Watch: Humanoid robot Ameca shows off life-like facial expressions - CNN VideoVideo of the robot, known as Ameca, went viral online. Ayanna Howard, Dean of the College of Engineering at Ohio State University tells CNN humans can benefit from life-like robots.
Read more »
CNN Staffer charged with enticing moms, daughters into 'sexual activity'Griffin, 44, of Stamford, Connecticut, was arrested on Friday and faces three counts.
Read more »
Chris Wallace leaving Fox News after 18 years for new CNN streaming serviceChris Wallace announced Sunday he is leaving Fox News after nearly two decades, and is now headed to work for CNN's new streaming platform.
Read more »