Styling, makeup, individual portraits, tea, rescue puppies, and donated gifts created an afternoon centered on confidence, choice, and connection
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, August 10, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — Peyton List (known for Cobra Kai and School Spirits) orchestrated “Portraits” on Sunday, August 9, for women residing at the Anne Douglas Center of Los Angeles Mission. The event united creative professionals, volunteers, and product donors for a cheerful afternoon dedicated to self-expression and community.
The Anne Douglas Center serves as Los Angeles Mission’s residential recovery program for women who have faced homelessness. It offers a secure, encouraging atmosphere along with counseling, education, career preparation, and additional services that assist women in achieving stability, independence, and a fresh start.
The afternoon began with a styling session led by celebrity stylist Lauren Gray, while Danika Grayston applied makeup for every participant. Volunteers Sab Zada (model, musician, and digital creator) and Zoe Colletti (star of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark and Only Murders in the Building) assisted throughout the day.
Afterward, the women proceeded to individual portrait sessions overseen by creative directors and photographers Cassidy Bliss Cooper, Jack Balaban, and Chris Yellen.
Tea service followed, with puppies from California Doodle Rescue (a nonprofit that rescues, fosters, and places doodles in homes) joining the celebration, and gift bags were distributed to the women.
“We wanted this day to feel relaxed, celebratory, and handled with care. It was important to us that each woman had the freedom to choose how she wanted to be styled and photographed to express her own femininity and identity in whatever way felt right to her,” List said. “One of the women at the center shared something with me that really stayed with me: that Skid Row is not simply a place to be afraid of or avoid. It’s a community, and there are beautiful things happening there every day: people creating, connecting, caring for one another, and living their lives.”
Gift bags were filled with products contributed by HABIT Cosmetics, Rahua, 111 Skin, Pacific World, Dove, Giovanni Cosmetics, World Amenities, Truly Beauty, Japonesque, COSRX, Desert Harvest, Mob Beauty, Orly Beauty, and Ardell Professional Lashes.
The Mission is withholding participants’ names to safeguard their privacy.
“I loved being able to choose what felt like me,” one Anne Douglas Center participant said. “By the time I sat for my portrait, I felt comfortable, confident, and excited. It was such a joyful experience.”
Another participant said, “The tea, the puppies, and the gifts were wonderful, but what stayed with me most was the time we spent together. The whole afternoon felt warm, thoughtful, and like a true celebration.”
“Style is most meaningful when it begins with listening,” Gray said. “Our goal was to help each woman feel comfortable and confident in what she chose while making room for her own taste and personality. Seeing that come through in the portraits was incredibly special.”
“Days like this reflect what we want every woman at the Anne Douglas Center to experience: dignity, choice, connection, and joy,” said Dennis Oleesky, CEO of Los Angeles Mission. “We are grateful to Peyton, Lauren, Danika, the photographers, volunteers, and every partner who made the afternoon thoughtful, personal, and genuinely celebratory.”
“Portraits” was made possible by the creative team, volunteers, community partners, and donors who contributed their time, talent, and products.
ABOUT LOS ANGELES MISSION
Los Angeles Mission provides emergency services and long-term support to people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles. Through meals, shelter, recovery programs, health services, job training, and transitional support, the Mission helps individuals move toward stability and self-sufficiency.
Greg Mielcarz
Los Angeles Mission
+1 213-290-8900
email us here
