Stylists give free haircuts and an image boost at City Union Mission

It had been years since Chris Frazier had a haircut, and Franklin Eugene Evans Jr., who calls himself a country boy, usually cuts his hair himself.

But they were among scores of men, most of them homeless, who got the professional treatment Sunday by a volunteer army of stylists that descended on the City Union Mission in Kansas City.

Not only did the stylists donate their expertise and their afternoon, but the men were offered a professional “after” photo portrait that they could use to help them get a job.

That was especially appreciated by Bryan, a computer programmer from Independence who did not want his last name printed because he’s newly homeless and about to start a job search. His photo on LinkedIn is dated.

“Oh yeah, this is awesome,” Bryan said when asked about the free service. “I got here (at the mission) two or three days ago and I’m hitting the job trail this week. This is definitely going to help me.”

The haircuts and shaves were initiated by area professional photographer Jenny Wheat, who heard about a similar event in another city. She mentioned on Facebook that it would be nice to offer that in Kansas City.

“And, like, 50 people volunteered,” Wheat said. “Webster House said they’d do the food and the Roasterie said they’d do the coffee. I said, ‘Oh, golly, I guess I’m hosting it now.’ I called City Union Mission and, of course, they said they would do it.”

Damion Alexander, corporate relations manager for the mission, thought it was a great idea.

“It’s something to start the new year off right,” he said.

Beauty Brands donated supplies. Other volunteers donated personal hygiene kits.

At one station in the cramped recreation hall, stylist Crystal Hill tended to Shawn Jenkins, who wanted all the hair removed from his scalp.

Hill had just finished giving Jason Thomas a haircut, which he said made him feel better.

“Look better, too, you hear me saying?” he said.

At another station, stylist Heidi Bowles was trimming Wilson Curtis Jr.’s mustache.

“You want me to trim this up around the top?” she asked. “Absolutely, you got it, sir.”

Curtis said afterward that it was a great experience. “I feel like refreshed.”

Bowles said the personal contact is important.

“We take it for granted,” she said. “We’re blessed that we can afford to take the time to do this. We’re all happy to let someone else know that the city is thinking about them and we love them and support them. They deserve to feel good and wanted and cared for.”

This story was originally published January 31, 2016 at 6:40 PM.