Local hairdresser makes lasting difference for people with disabilities

submitted photo The Journal
Looking good! Kayla Speaker, owner of Beautiful Ambitions Salon works on one of the people who are supported by Mosaic.

A chance meeting with a former client gave Kayla Speaker, owner of Beautiful Ambitions Salon, the opportunity make a meaningful difference for dozens of people in need.
Speaker attended a Discover the Possibilities event at Mosaic in Rockford, a nonprofit that supports more than 70 people locally with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While there, Speaker learned about some of the financial and other barriers the people Mosaic supports face.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive limited income each month to provide for their basic needs. Most of this income is used to cover their healthcare and living expenses, leaving very little for basic needs like haircuts, toiletries, clothing and more. In Illinois, people are guaranteed $60 a month to cover these types of expenses.
When Speaker heard this, she was shocked.
“That’s nothing,” she said. “I knew I needed to give everyone Mosaic supports in the area haircuts free-of-charge.”
Today, Beautiful Ambitions Salon provides about 30 haircuts to the people Mosaic supports every six weeks. Speaker’s generosity saves each person about $200 annually. It may not seem like a lot, but it makes a huge difference.
“If I can make people feel better, then I’m helping them in a different way,” Speaker said. “I would love to be able to donate monetarily, but this is the only way I can make an impact.”
“While the financial relief is great, the relationship goes deeper,” said Tammy English, Community Relations Manager with Mosaic.
“The people we support look forward to coming back here so much because of the community they experience,” English added.
Previously, it had been difficult to find hair salons that were both welcoming and affordable for the people served by Mosaic. Many people aren’t used to seeing people with disabilities out in public. Stylists were often unsure of how to interact with the people Mosaic supports. Sometimes they even seemed annoyed, or uncomfortable and rushed through haircuts.
“That’s just wrong,” Speaker said. “They’re human just like all of us.”
In contrast, Speaker works hard to create a welcoming environment. She brings in a volunteer to do interactive story time with people, makes sure everyone’s favorite show is on Netflix and takes the time to get to know each of her new customers.
“People feel like they belong here,” she said. “I’m helping them feel like they’re pampered.”
People interested in learning more about Mosaic and the people we support are encouraged to attend a Discover the Possibilities event, just like Speaker did.
Community members are also invited to attend Mosaic’s Partners in Possibilities event, a one-hour fundraising event and discover how you can use your time, talents, and treasure to help Mosaic further its mission of empowering people to live full and meaningful lives. The event is from noon-1 p.m. on Nov. 13 at Heartland Community Church in Rockford. For more information contact Tammy at [email protected] or call 815-387-8390.
About Mosaic
Mosaic is a whole-person healthcare organization reaching across 11 states and providing supports to more than 4,500 people. Services empower people with disabilities, mental, and behavioral health needs and autism, as well as aging adults to live their best life. Mosaic is an affiliated social ministry organization of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and a member of Lutheran Services in America. Mosaic is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.