Today we’d like to introduce you to Yasmin Qartoumy
Hi Yasmin, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up we had no money. I shared a room with my 2 siblings in a small 2 bedroom house my parents rented from my aunt. The best part of growing up was living next door to my grandma. Breakfast, lunch and dinner we’d go next door and Nana would feed us. We ate a lot of warm tortillas with butter and were always surrounded by love. Bedtime we’d cuddle up a small mattress. Me, my brother and sister; 3 peas in a pod.
In the 3rd grade my dad “made it big”. He moved us out of LA and to a beautiful horse property in Orange County. There was a giant pool and we each had our own rooms. Every night without fail, my brother and sister would sneak into my room and we’d all dog pile into my bed, nice and cozy. In the morning my mom would always be upset and confused why we had our own rooms but refused to sleep in them.
My mom had a white Mercedes. My dad had a red Mercedes (the one with the phone in the center console) and several sport cars, his favorite being the Dodge Viper. At one point my dad had 8 Dodge Viper’s and would drive us to school in a different car each day of the week. The cars were 2 seaters so again, we’d pile into and out of the car. He’d kiss us goodbye and hand us each a large bill to buy school lunch. Some days it was $20 others it was $100 but it was always way more than lunch would cost. I always ended up with extra money that I didn’t know what to do with. At “back to school time” my dad again would give us way too much money for school shopping. My brother would shop at Active Skate Shop, my sister at Nordstrom. I never liked department stores and I’d go shop at thrift stores once again, leaving me with extra money.
One day I went to McDonald’s. (I wasn’t always a vegetarian) and I’d get a #2 which was 2 cheeseburgers, fries and a drink (I’d always get orange soda). Leaving McDonald’s I saw a homeless lady and asked if she was hungry. She said yes and I sat and shared my food with her. A burger for me and a burger for her. This was the 1st time I realized that there were hungry people in my neighborhood. I was young so I think I thought that since we had money now, everyone had money. That wasn’t the case. Anytime I’d go to McDonald’s I’d get a 2 cheeseburger combo and look for that homeless lady. Some days I could find her, other days I’d find someone else. Slowly I realized how many hungry people there were in my area. I started to run low on money and I didn’t want to ask my family for money to feed people so, I got a job. My very 1st job was at Little Caesar’s Pizza. I was a delivery driver and I also made pizzas. At this time the Hot and Ready $5 pizzas were brand new at Little Caesar’s. So every few weeks I’d cash my paycheck and come to work and buy $5 pizzas for all my homeless friends. They would line up outside and whoever was working that day would ring them up. $5 plus tax, I’d hand the amount to my coworker, they’d put it in the register and give my homeless friend a pizza. We’d do this until I ran out of money or everyone was fed. This went on for about 6 months until my boss called my dad. He said that I was a good worker but he had to let me go because I was feeding the homeless and he couldn’t have that around his business. I was embarrassed to be fired from my first job but I shook it off and immediately got another job. Baskin Robbins welcomed me and fired me just as quickly as I’d get paid and buy ice cream for all my homeless friends. They’d line up in the summer heat and build the ice cream sundae of their dreams. I can remember sitting in my black Honda Civic after being fired and being so confused. I was paying for the pizza and ice cream so what was I doing wrong? This fire lit in me. I was mad. I get to eat so why can’t I feed people? That’s kind of how it all started for me. Why can’t everyone eat at my table?
In High School I needed 40 hours of community service as a requirement to graduate. I was the graduating class of 2003 so I began volunteering with the intention of graduating with 2003 community service hours. I volunteered at a convalescent home as a Sign Language interpreter, with late stage Alzheimer and Dementia patients. We did arts and crafts, on occasion I interpreted for their church services. These 4 years opened my eyes to a different population of forgotten people. At the convalescent home, their families didn’t come to see them. They weren’t super clean so I’d clean them. They wanted to talk, so I’d listen. Every time I’d visit it was different but it taught me to love without prejudice and to meet people where they are. In 2003 I proudly graduated with my 2003 community service hours.
20 year old me tried to go to culinary school. On the 1st day they went around the class and asked why you were there. Some wanted to open their own restaurants and others were following in their families footsteps of culinary genius. When it was my turn they asked, “and you, why are you here?” Proudly I said, “I want to work in a kitchen at a homeless shelter and make amazing food so they feel loved”. Needless to say, I was laughed right out of culinary school because “that’s not why people go to school here”. I landed at a cosmetology school and graduated shortly after. Working at and even owning my own salon was unfulfilling. My friend Dre Perales, asked if my salon wanted to come to help with a “Back to School” event where they would offer haircuts, backpacks and school supplies. I went and helped. I gave out cards for complimentary services to families that weren’t able to get haircuts at the event. That month, I made zero dollars. I gave away every service for free. That month of nothing but free services sitting in my chair taught me that we all struggle and we’re all human. Everyone is going through something. The smallest gesture, can make a difference.
I closed my salon and started volunteering my services for free. From Skid Row to my kids elementary school play and everywhere in between. When my son turned 6, I started bringing him with me. He was my little helper. Mommy and Mikah. I’d go out with Mikah to feed people and clean them up; offering skin care, facials, essential hygiene and socks. Helping people feel clean was renewing their dignity and I enjoyed the conversations along the way. People would ask “what group are you with” or “what church are you with” and I always say “I’m just Mikah’s mom”. There’s power in being human and making a real human connection. I’m not a non profit, I’m not out here getting paid, I’m out here because I want to be here. I genuinely care and I’m happy to buy my own supplies and share my time, my life experiences and my love with you, that’s why I’m here.
Today my son is 15 and he is still my helper. We buy our own backpacks to fill with school supplies for “Back to School” events, we sponsor kids in shelters and low income neighborhoods for Christmas every year, I volunteer my time with local non profits but my favorite time is still just Mommy and Mikah time, walking through a park or down Skid Row and doing what we do. Helping to bring people their dignity and reminding them that they are human, they are worthy and they are loved. One person at a time.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My passion for people has always been there. I think slowly I just found my way. My path. My voice. Some people want to go shopping or work on their cars. I just want to love people. It’s just what I do and how I live my life.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an esthetician. I’ve dedicated much of my life caring for people in a unique and personal way. I spend most of my time in Los Angeles and Orange County offering my services for free with back to school events at schools in low income neighborhoods, skin care education at foster homes, essential hygiene on Skid Row and everything in between. I try to positively impact my community by giving people hope and caring for them. Showering the world with love, one person, one human interaction at a time.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Everyone has a silent struggle. Don’t judge others and treat everyone with dignity. There are a lot of people in this world who don’t know love. I always try to show people love just so they know that there is someone out here that truly does love them.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missxyasminx?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtu.be/W0vXGqYg7NU
