Macon salon treats domestic violence victims to full makeover

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and several groups are doing their part to spread the word, and so is one hair salon. 

One step inside Lee Tillman’s hair salon and it’s just like any other. There’s laughter, gossip, and sometimes miracles with a pair of scissors. 

On Monday however, something was different. 

“If you look good, you feel good about yourself,” one lady said. 

All of the women is the salon chairs were victims of domestic violence at the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia. 

Stephanie, who asked 41NBC not to share her last name, along with other women got a chance to get a new ‘do. 

“You just feel like a million dollars, and it’s good to look like it even if you don’t have money in your pocket. It’s good to look good, it builds your self-esteem,” she said. 

Self-esteem was the word of the day. 

Owner Lee Tillman says he wanted to take that extra help boost the ladies’ confidence, and he did it all free of charge.

“It’s about that payoff, about me having a small hand in effecting somebody else’s life that’s what my industry is all about,” he said. 

The women received makeup, haircuts, and extensions. 

Some were even brought to tears from the finished product. 

“Many of them have had multiple relationships that have been abusive, so we have a long-term program and try to break the cycle of violence and any of these things that we can do to help build their self-esteem that just helps them feel more confident about themselves,” Dawn Burns with the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia said. 

Confidence, a feeling these ladies say they’ll move forward with as they continue to put their lives on the right track. 

The Women’s Division at the Rescue Mission of Middle Georgia helps victims get back on their feet through a series of programs that help them learn how to build healthy relationships moving forward.