With a goal of 100 haircuts, organizers behind the No Hair Left Behind event hoped to not only help people look better, but feel better too, with health screenings, social services and some friendly interaction.
Kelly Toth, APRN, system director of Neighborhood Health Operations, Hartford Healthcare, said Neighborhood Health teamed up with a local barber and the pastor of South Church in Hartford, to help those experiencing homelessness receive health screenings, a free haircut, a pair of shoes, breakfast and a hot lunch to go.
“When we can establish relationships with people, they get more comfortable. They might not receive services from the clinic the first time we see them, but by the second or third time then they are more open to it,” Toth said. She explained they have relationships with shelters and soup kitchens in the area and saw many familiar faces stop by for a free haircut and a hot lunch on Sunday.
She met Miguel Delvalle, who owns a local barbershop, when she was out in the neighborhood, and when she explained what she did, he wanted to team up for this event.
“It’s important that the community knows they are not left behind,” said Delvalle, owner of Wise Guys Scissor Society Barber Shop in Hartford. He struggled with homelessness himself, he said, from age 16-18 and again in his 20s. “I went from homeless to homeowner and then shop owner,” he said. “Often people feel lost and forgotten, even by their own families. We want to let them know we care.”
A hair wash station, with waterless bathing caps, was the first stop before sitting down in front of a barber. A couple people mentioned how good the hair wash and head massage felt.
Eleven barbers volunteered their time and skills on a Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to cut hair and listen if people wanted to talk about their experiences. By 1 p.m. they had done more than 40 haircuts.
“As I visited with the teams and spoke with some of the participants of the event, I was inspired by the spirit of collaboration and compassion that filled the room,” said Bimal Patel, Hartford HealthCare Hartford Region president and senior vice president, Hartford HealthCare.
David Mingolelli, PA, with Hartford HealthCare, said if people have limited resources, haircuts are often pushed to the bottom of their list. “It is fantastic to be able to offer them and help reduce barriers for people,” he said. “When they get spruced up they feel better too.”
One man who came in had some painful abrasions on his wrists and hands, so Mingolelli asked if he could take a look, and treated him with some ointment and band aids. “We check in with them, see how they are doing, if they want other care. I did ask if his tetanus was up to date as well.”
Priscilla Pendozzi, a social worker with Neighborhood Health, said a former client mentioned to her it was the first time someone had really looked at him in some time, and that stuck with her. “We want them to know we see them, we care and we want to help,” she said.
Other organizations involved included the Hispanic Health Council, the Community Renewal Team and Footwear with Care, who provided free shoes and socks. Abigail Sullivan Moore, the founder and executive director of Footwear with Care, said “feet are the foundation of the body, if they hurt, the rest of us hurts,” as she outfitted people with new socks and shoes.
There were stations outside and inside the church hall for people to access services, and sit and eat if they wanted to while they waited for a haircut.
Taraji Brooks, who got his haircut, said everyone was very nice and he appreciated the chance to get a fresh cut.
Dickson Larriu said his sister told him about the event at the South Church on Sunday. He said he hadn’t had a haircut in two years, due to COVID and other issues.
“It definitely feels better and will be cooler for the summer,” he said. He told the barber he would trim it himself with scissors when it got too long, but he appreciated the shorter cut and attention to detail. “I really like the positive energy today,” he said.
Barber Chrispin Salmeron said he had just recently heard about the event but was happy to come and donate his services and time. “I enjoy hearing their perspectives and how they feel about the city I grew up in,” he said.
Dawn Filippa, Neighborhood Health Services operations manager, said they have a clinic at South Church every other Wednesday, and also serve the Northwest, East, Central and Fairfield regions with clinics.
“Miguel did a great job of bringing together all the barbers and stylists,” she said. “Everyone is very appreciative. Knowing that there are people out there who are less fortunate, it really puts things into perspective.”
“These people are our family, this is our neighborhood too,” Toth said. They hope to make this an annual event.
Different stations offered free screening, testing and immunizations, including:
- Blood pressure.
- Blood sugar screening.
- Cholesterol, hepatitis C and urine testing.
- Vaccines for COVID-19, pneumonia, shingles, hepatitis B and tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (tDAP).
