Memorial Service Planned for Skid Row Activist "Ms. Shirley"

Shirley Raines, founder of Beauty 2 The Streetz, dedicated her life to helping the homeless in downtown LA.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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A downtown Los Angeles church has invited the public to a memorial service for Shirley Raines, a Skid Row homeless activist known as "Ms. Shirley." Raines, the founder of the nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz, died last month of hypertensive heart disease after years of providing food, hygiene kits, and compassion to people experiencing homelessness in the area. The memorial will be held at First Congregational Church, with the first two rows reserved for members of the homeless community Raines helped.

Why it matters

Raines' work on Skid Row inspired many, including fellow volunteer Joy Taylor, who saw Raines' compassion firsthand and the importance of connecting with and supporting the homeless population that is often overlooked or shunned by society.

The details

Shirley Raines dedicated her life to caring for people experiencing homelessness on Skid Row, handing out food, hygiene kits, and offering hugs. Her work with Beauty 2 The Streetz touched many lives, including that of Joy Taylor, who began volunteering with the nonprofit and now serves on its board. Raines passed away last month due to hypertensive heart disease, leaving a lasting impact on the community she served.

  • Raines died of hypertensive heart disease last month.
  • The memorial service will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m.

The players

Shirley Raines

A social media creator and founder of the nonprofit Beauty 2 The Streetz, which provided food, hygiene kits, and compassion to people experiencing homelessness on Skid Row.

Joy Taylor

A volunteer with Beauty 2 The Streetz who saw Raines' compassion firsthand and now serves on the nonprofit's board.

First Congregational Church of Los Angeles

The church hosting the memorial service for Shirley Raines.

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What they’re saying

“Anyone of those people could be us and could be someone that we love. What Shirley brought to the outreach was a real sense of humanity. You are face-to-face with people who everyone overlooks, who everyone tries to stay away from, shuns and truly who everyone judges.”

— Joy Taylor, Volunteer and Board Member, Beauty 2 The Streetz (CBS News Los Angeles)

“She had a very big personality, but she kind of thought of this as something she was doing to heal from the loss of her son. She truly made a difference. That is something I don't think she ever really understood, but I am glad that we are going to get to show her tomorrow.”

— Joy Taylor, Volunteer and Board Member, Beauty 2 The Streetz (CBS News Los Angeles)

What’s next

The memorial service for Shirley Raines will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles.

The takeaway

Shirley Raines' compassionate work on Skid Row, providing food, hygiene kits, and human connection to the homeless, inspired many and highlighted the importance of supporting and uplifting a vulnerable population that is often overlooked by society.