News Media: Philadelphia Barber’s Haircuts For Homeless Initiative Brings Tears Out Of Participants
There are so many reasons why Philadelphia is The City of Brotherly Love. Barber B. JaWuan Jones can be counted amongst those touching lives through his Haircuts4Homeless initiative.
In fact, Jones got quite a reaction from a homeless man he was giving a hair cut. The man who has been identified as Bill, was celebrating his 56th birthday and he wept upon seeing the transformation. In a post uploaded to Instagram on June 4th, Jones shared a series of before and after photos with the caption:
“Met this guy today named Bill who was celebrating his 56th birthday and needed a haircut. He told me to make it extra special, I did my best! Before I was done I noticed he was starting to get a bit emotional. He said ‘all I can say is God is Good! For the first time in years I can feel good on my birthday!’ “
His response was just as moving for Jones. Afterwards he said that he plans to do this “giving back thing for life.”
Jones’ wife gave him the idea for the initiative in January 2017. Jones told Because of Them We Can:
“I was looking for a way to give back to the less fortunate but wanted to be different and unique. My wife gave me the idea to go out and cut a few guys hair. After social media took notice the idea blew up and Haircut4Homeless was birthed.”
Four months after launching he quit his job as a security officer to focus on providing haircuts to the homeless population in downtown Philadelphia on a full-time basis.
“I’ve been a barber for 12 years. Gave it up because the passion wasn’t there. The passion was restored when I started working with the homeless.”
Jones wants to do more and doesn’t want his plans to stop at the outdoor barber chair he sets up on Broadway and Walnut Street.
“My goal is to open up the “Compassion Center,” a homeless shelter and resource for teens and adults experiencing homelessness.
Until then, he’s currently searching for a place to move the initiative indoors during the winter months.
Jones is supported by his wife who is a cosmetologist and assists him on his Haircut4Homeless tours. You can support his self-funded initiative via PayPal or cash app at $haircut4homeless.
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