Local hair stylists from three different salons in Orillia are coming together to offer free haircuts to people experiencing homelessness and financial hardship.
Sharp Image Salon and Spa will be hosting the July 11 event that is open to people who register ahead of time by calling 705-327-0102.
Darlene Duprey, the co-owner and human resources/operations manager of Sharp Image, says the event is intended to help people who don’t receive personal care services as often as they would like to.
“We want to be able to give back,” she said. “It’s been a tough couple of years for a lot of people including businesses, but we have been fortunate in that people are still supporting us and we want to support the community.”
Hair stylists from Sharp Image, Avaia Salon, and FabStyle are donating their time to their employer at no charge for working during the event.
“We can do more together than apart,” Duprey said. “Especially when it comes to these kinds of events.”
Going forward, Sharp Image will continue to offer free services to those in need who have a referral from a community agency.
“This isn’t just an isolated one-time event,” Duprey said. “This will be an ongoing thing.”
Trish Holloway, operations manager for the Lighthouse, says the joint initiative from the three salons shows that there is community support for the vulnerable population in the community.
“The shop owners and their businesses are recognizing that people are struggling right now in our community,” she said. “Whether they are using an emergency shelter or combating the costs of groceries and gas and are staying in our supportive housing units, these people are our neighbours.”
Holloway says a haircut makes a difference for people who are struggling both financially and mentally.
“It gives you motivation and confidence,” she said. “It could be one thing that helps secure housing or a job.”
