Giving Haircuts & Hope To The Jobless

Many small businesses have recently decided to step in and offer jobseekers discounts and freebies to boost their confidence, such as complimentary dry-cleaning and shoes. The New York Times reports that a Greenwich Village salon, Cristiano Cora Studio recently offered free haircuts to anyone who brought proof of unemployment.

Cora and his stylists tended to the locks of those who showed up on Sunday and Monday to offer hope and change for the unemployed, many of whom have already sacrificed many nonessentials such as dinners out and hair color services:

Mr. Cora and his staff, as well as some other stylists he had trained, were trying to help the clientele, many of whom worked in fashion or theater or marketing, sidestep this conundrum. Call it the good-hair school of economics. "We're trying to prepare them so they can get working and feel good and come back into salons," said Jeanise Aviles, a stylist working on Ms. Ramirez's hair. "Our business has slowed down, too."

The idea is that helping someone look their best will help them find better employment. As The New York Times puts it, "one has to keep up appearances."

Free haircuts for the jobless are popping up across America, from Southern California to Florida.

Comments

[Alexandre Laudet]

That's a great idea, like dress for success... In this competitive environment, even a great resume may need a bit of an edge and presentation is so important not only to the outside world but to the individuals' self confidence. Being unemployed can make you feel really insecure and $ problems usually result in non essential being eliminated first
I really hope this program grows

[lemondade]

IT IS GOOD TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE EVERYDAY PEOPLE HELPING THOSE WHO ARE DOWN ON THEIR LUCK. THANK YOU.

[madisonhack]

My grandfather lost everything in the stock market crash of 1929. What he didn't lose was a good job, although according to my father he took a massive cut in pay. Dad recalled men knocking on the door, asking for work, and usually they got something to do for a dollar; more likely a meal or a hot bath. When the men left, they made a little mark at the end of the walk so others would know where to stop.

[simmary]

It's a very good venture. The barber isn't only about haircuts - he's a local therapist.

Apart from making the client look good and feel trim, he helps the guy in the chair to share and talk thru some of his burden. I've seen this in East Jerusalem. Arab men look trim and cared for, and their barbers give a very good cut.

I remember a young man in our party had a trim the day before we left; the airport Security at Ben Gurion spotted him and hauled him off for extra-special questioning. As he presented no problem, he actually got through faster than the rest of us!

[jeffrey678]

Military bases should allow unemployed people to get free haircuts. Our taxes are already paying for it.

[wonketteRAWKS]

Great feel good story and kudos to people like this that help out.

Now, how about them Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!

[PBMac]

Imagine giving a helping hand to our BLOATED military budget--un­thinkable. It always goes first class to the tune of a million dollars a solider and we can't even afford haircuts at home! Unbelievab­le--Obama'­s wars!

[madisonhack]

Been in office less than a year and he's to blame? How did you feel about the guys that started these wars and then looted the Treasury on the way out the door?

Did you vote for Bush?

[marley22]

To go along with the economic haircut we'vre gotten?

[isadora]

This contribution reflecting love for others is so praiseworthy. I thank those involved, and challenge the rest of us to do what we can for the needy. It was St. Francis who said "It is in loving that we are loved."

[lazercat2008]

The people running things have no empathy for the poor.

[ozlanderun]

Good for this guy!
He may have extra time on his hands because of the economy though... decreasing his paying customers.
Beauty supply stores like SALLY"S have been realizing profits as customers 'do their own'.
'Fiscal 2009 first quarter GAAP net earnings were $16.1 million, growth of 12.0% from the fiscal 2008 first quarter.'
'GAAP net earnings up 7% to $31 million; $0.17 earnings per share Jul 30, 2009'
etc, etc

[coastalcarla]

That's great! It's showing that despite all of the naysayers, there are still people out there that care about their neighbors.

[buzzard123]

A helping hand to those hit by hard times is so noble.
These are great people.

[jws2346]

Now this is the American way. Always help your less fortunate brothers and sisters. Thanks all you good people

[toggan]

What a nice gesture.