Salon offers free makeovers for women recovering from drug addictions

Tampa, FL - One local hair salon is getting into the spirit of Thanksgiving by providing free makeovers to some women who are getting back on their feet after falling on hard times.

Barbara Forgione's salon in south Tampa  is normally closed on Mondays, but today they were open to five women who were receiving free complete makeovers.

"We really believe that beauty is inside out. It comes from the inside out and we love what we do. We love making people look better and feel better," said Barabara Forgione.

The women are part of a transitional program at the DACCO center. They help women who are in abusive relationships and once battled drug addictions.

"When I found out I was coming to DACCO, in the beginning, I was really upset, but I found out after being here I needed it. I might be dead right now if I didn't have DACCO," said Kristie Lawton.

The DACCO center provides the women with a place to stay and programs to help them feel better about themselves. "One of the biggest issues that people come in with when they have been in treatment is self esteem,"  said Cary Hopkins, a spokesperson for the DACCO center.

Self esteem is what lead Charlie Mae Denson to crack but, over the past few years, she's been on the road to recovery and today is her final step to a new outlook on life after receiving her new makeover.

"It makes me feel so wonderful, so great, so beautiful, to hold my head up high no matter what," said Charlie Mae Denson.

The DACCO center has provided services for over 25,000 people a year in the Bay area.