Ricci’s Plans Cut-A-Thon

For The Safe Home Project

Ricci’s Salon will host a “Cut-A-Thon” on Monday, May 8, from 5 to 9:30 pm. All haircuts will cost $25, and all money will be donated to The Safe Home Project.

The Safe Home Project provides 24-hour, seven-day-a-week residential care for abused and neglected children up to 12 years of age. The focus of the home is to provide a loving and nurturing environment until permanent placement can be found. The Safe Home is located in Danbury and provides a year-round safe haven for children.

The program is a state Department of Children and Family initiative to provide emergency shelter up to 45 days for children between ages 3 and 12 who must be removed from their families because of abuse or neglect. Family and Children’s Aid will operate the $600,000 program, the first to open in DCF’s northwest region.

DCF intends to open 14 of these safe homes throughout the state. The goal is to give children a safe place until DCF staff members can assess the child’s situation and make arrangements for long-term care. The entire Safe Home Project was made possible through generous contributions from local businesses and individuals.

Odessa Peterson, a salon coordinator at Ricci’s for over 16 years, is the vice chairman of Family and Children’s Aid, Danbury Auxiliary, and has been a volunteer with the group for 28 years. Ricci’s Salon is holding the cut-a-thon to provide a significant contribution to the operation of The Safe Home Project and to ensure abused and neglected children are able to find refuge in the special home.