A haircut can change a person’s entire demeanor. It can make folks feel fresh, clean, pretty, confident.
But for many Long Beach residents, including those who are homeless or facing financial problems, this prosaic part of life isn’t routine – but rare.
While affordable housing, job training, mental health and substance-abuse services comprise the vast majority of the policy discussions surrounding the ongoing homeless crisis, grooming and self-care – including haircuts – are an often overlooked challenge for those without permanent shelter.
But during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, when nearly every industry shutdown, some Long Beach barbers – unable to open their shops and seeing a need they could fill – pivoted and began offering free haircuts to those who are homeless.
Long Beach tallied 3,296 people without permanent shelter during the city’s 2022 point-in-time homeless count, which it conducted in February. Of those, 43.7% said unemployment or other financial hardships were to blame for them becoming homeless.
So it makes sense that whatever money those living on the streets have would go toward temporary places to live, food or other necessities – leaving hair care as an unaffordable luxury for many who are homeless.
But that has potentially serious consequences, according to Shari Weaver, director of the Coordinated Entry System for the nonprofit Harbor Interfaith Services, which works with people who are homeless.
Weaver, who has spent decades working with the homeless community, said she’s always looking for people willing to cut hair for free. A fresh trim, she said, can give people confidence – and can be an underrated part of getting a job.
“You can watch a person sit down for a haircut with one demeanor and then walk away after completely different,” Weaver said, “carrying themself with more confidence.”
With that in mind, here are the stories of how two barbers began offering free haircuts to those who are homeless.
Mobile haircuts for all
Russell C. Waters learned to cut hair in prison.
And during his incarceration, he found that haircuts were a fundamental part of human dignity and self-preservation – even combating depression. So in prison, Waters said, the men’s hair looked clean.
Once Waters was paroled, 13 years ago, he used his new skills to open a barbershop, KingCuts Braids, in Long Beach.
But he also noticed something about life away from prison: not everyone could afford a haircut on a regular basis.
He saw people walking around, children going to school, looking unkempt and disheveled, Waters said. It troubled him.
“The wardens took better care of inmates,” Waters said, “than tax paying, law-abiding citizens get on the street.”
Then the pandemic hit – and Waters realized something needed to change.
So Waters took a couple of converted vans and created what he calls a mobile “all-volunteer special needs fresh-air haircut service.”
On most days, he sets up at the corner of Atlantic Avenue and 14th Street and serves 30 to 40 people per day, including those who are homeless, elderly or immunocompromised. On weekends, he will occasionally work at the beach or elsewhere.
While Waters accepts donations – which average about $10 – he doesn’t charge for his barbering skills, he said.
If someone only has a few dollars or nothing at all, that person will still receive the same care and service, Waters said.
“Not all money is good money,” Waters said recently. “I can’t take someone’s last dollar.
“Most people don’t take advantage of us,” he added, “and some thank us in tears of gratitude.”
Waters said he has experienced huge support from the community.
Some people donate more, paying it forward. Others bring water, donuts and words of encouragement.
And earlier this year, Sixth District Councilwoman Suely Saro touted the work Waters is doing in an Instagram post.
“Kingcuts has reimagined and re-created the way the barber industry approaches haircut services in the City of Long Beach,” Saro wrote. “They believe it is a civic responsibility to have equitable access to hair care services.
A rewarding service
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, seven blocks from where Waters usually sets up, also offers free haircuts to those who are homeless – a service officials there added to their already varied catalog during the pandemic.
During the pandemic shutdown in 2020, church members were on a Zoom call brainstorming about how to help those living on the streets.
One member reached out to his brother, Philip Johnson, who has 30 years of barbering experience.
Johnson agreed to help – despite living in Ontario.
And a year later, Johnson still makes the lengthy trip from Ontario to Long Beach on the first Saturday of each month, providing about a dozen haircuts.
The reward for providing haircuts for free, Johnson said, is his uplifted spirit.
“The conversations during a haircut allow you to get to know a person,” he said, “and that bond keeps them coming back.”
Johnson said he talks and, more importantly, listens to what each man wants for a haircut.
“My goal is to give them what they want,” Johnson said. “It’s rewarding to see them leave knowing they feel better.”
On a recent Saturday, Johnson gave a haircut to Jose Serrano, who is homeless. When Johnson finished, he showed Serano the finished look.
Serrano stared at the mirror. He smiled. Then, he exclaimed:
“That’s me!”
