When Gia Sills was accepted to live at Alpha House, a temporary shelter for homeless families in Ann Arbor, she expected safe lodging, help finding a job and direction in securing a permanent place to live for her and her two sons.

But not in her wildest dreams did Sills expect a haircut and color, a pedicure, a facial and a massage.

Stylist Kate Bishop colors mom Michelle Olin's hair to return it to its natural strawberry blonde shade.

Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com

For five hours Thursday afternoon, three mothers from Alpha House sat in the lap of luxury at Scappare Salon in South Lyon. They received hair and nail services, a limousine ride, lunch and the chance to sit around and chat with other women.

“A lot of our families are coming through crisis,” said Lindy Gill, volunteer coordinator with the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Washtenaw County, which runs Alpha House. “They don’t get to think about themselves often. This is a treat. A day of pampering to help them relax.”

Alpha House offers up to three months of shelter for homeless families (with at least one child 18 years or younger), along with support services such as helping adults find employment and permanent housing. Up to six families can stay at Alpha House at any given time. 

Members of churches, synagogues and other organizations provide all of the meals and children’s activities. “It is a community response to homeless,” Gill said. “It’s unique because it has so many helping hands.”

But it’s impossible to provide many frills. That’s where Scappare Salon came in. 

Owner Lindsay Cortis heard about an out-of-state salon offering a day of pampering to homeless parents and thought it would be a good way to give back to the community. 

“They can get away for half a day and relieve some of the stress. Not a lot of people these days can splurge on massages, facials and pedicures. But it makes you feel your best,” Cortis said.

The royal treatment began before they arrived at the salon. Cortis knows the owners of MTD Limousine and Coach Services in Farmington, and the company provided transportation between Alpha House and the salon.

Stylist Kate Bishop washes the color out of mom Gia Sills' hair.

Janet Miller | For AnnArbor.com

Michelle Olin said the day helped relieve the stress that has built up over the past few months since she moved with her teenagers from Las Vegas to Ann Arbor and eventually into Alpha House. They lived there for two months before she found housing. 

“I’m trying to make a life for myself. This is a great way to reward myself and relax a little bit,” said Olin, who is disabled.

The pampering for Sills started with her first-ever massage and was followed by having her eyebrows shaped, hair tinted with a burgundy shine and then cut. It was something Sills said she could never afford on her own. 

“Money’s an issue, it’s always one or the other: Do I buy new shoes for the kids or do I get my hair done?” she said. She hadn’t had a haircut since last year.

After Sills served five months in the Washtenaw County Jail, she had no place of her own. She lost her Ypsilanti apartment when she went to jail. She and her two teenage boys lived in a house with her mother, aunt and grandmother, but that didn’t last. 

“Too many chiefs,” she said. A month ago, she moved into Alpha House and has submitted 60 job applications. She recently landed a part-time data entry job. 

“I’m taking it one day at a time,” Sills said.

Sills said she knew she was going to have to work hard when she was accepted into Alpha House. 

“But I didn’t know I was going to be pampered,” she said. “It’s awesome. And I don’t have to worry about how much I’m spending.”

Janet Miller is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.