I grew up in housing developments in Roslindale. In my 20s, I was a single mom with a full-time job in the John Hancock Insurance Accounting & Reconciling Department. But that salary didn’t cover rent and childcare. I worked a second job washing hair at Vidal Sassoon’s on Newbury Street, but it still wasn’t enough. Despite all my efforts, I found myself homeless with two small children.

Quincy Community Action Program stepped in, placing me in their family shelter and helping me with childcare, budgeting and other support services. I kept my job and attended cosmetology school at night. Eventually I left John Hancock and worked at Newbury Street salons, becoming an expert at installing hair extensions. I saved every penny and began to take steps toward establishing my own salon.

This year I celebrate 20 years since founding Salon Monét and becoming the only female African American hair salon owner on Newbury Street.

QCAP and other organizations gave me a roof over my head and the opportunity to move up in the world, to realize my dreams, to leave poverty and homelessness behind. It was an investment with huge returns for me and my family and society.

I now have two salons on Newbury. I once did hair extensions for Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. I had dinner with Oprah on an Alaskan cruise. I was honored before 14,000 attendees at the Massachusetts Conference for Women. I have rooms full of awards for philanthropy and good works.

I have built a good life, paid taxes and given back in any way I can to people in need and the programs that support them.

But look at the difference between my experience with poverty and homelessness in the late 1990s and the hundreds of thousands in our state and tens of millions nationwide who languish today on decades-long waiting lists for affordable housing. The Boston Housing Authority has a wait list of 37,000. Metro Housing Boston, which administers Section 8 vouchers, is providing them now to people who applied in 2009, according to reports The governor has declared a state of emergency in response to the migrant crisis. But we had escalating homelessness before that – all of those who need housing must be helped. COVID-related rent protections are gone. Rents keep rising. Shelters are full. Federal help is desperately needed.

I am heartened by the words of new BHA administrator Kenzie Bok, who said that she wants to add more housing units and direct additional city resources to the BHA. Go Kenzie!

Yesterday hundreds of friends and supporters gathered at my annual “All-White Party” to celebrate Salon Monét’s 20th anniversary, my birthday, and to raise funds for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston. Each year the event benefits a different cause. BGCB is an exceptional community organization that helps young people – especially those who need it most – to build strong character and realize their full potential. Going into the event we had raised more than $12,000 with more expected!

The support there gave me hope for the future. We must work together to solve the housing crisis and provide all people with the opportunity to build better lives.

Shellee Mendes is the founder/owner/stylist of Salon Monét on Newbury Street.