Caroline Linder is a hair stylist from Nashville, Tennessee who recently decided to use her skills to help those who needed it most.
It all started a year ago, when Caroline stumbled upon a group of volunteers that gave out free showers to people in need. This got her thinking about what other services the homeless could need, which is what got her to realize that she could help others herself by giving out free haircuts.
“I started doing haircuts with a non-profit mobile shower group called Shower Up around a year and a half ago,” Caroline explained. “At first I was by myself, then more and more people with the same vision started to come and kept coming. That’s how The Nashville Street Barbers was born.”
Caroline started this as a one-woman operation, taking to the streets to give out haircuts by herself. One year later, Nashville Street Barbers has grown to over a dozen hair stylists who give out up to 80 free haircuts every week.
Caroline may make the operation look effortless, but she explained that it is actually anything but that.
Recruiting dedicated volunteers to come on a consistent basis is the hardest part,” Caroline said. “Most of us work a 40-hour-a-week job and fitting in the time to do extra haircuts can be challenging. I met three dedicated barber students — Abishai Collingsworth, Pebblez, and Ryan Timmons — that have helped really keep this group running and put my vision into focus.”
Despite all of the hard work that has gone into this operation, Caroline said that it is all worth it.
“The most rewarding part is being able to make a difference in the lives of the people we serve,” Caroline said. “Not only do we catch up and give them a trim while they are in the chair, but it’s an opportunity for us to connect with people in our local community. That only comes with being able to show up and be a present part of their lives every week — we have built some amazing friendships just by showing up.”
Caroline’s biggest goal is to change the way that people look at the homeless.
“My biggest message is to get to know people before you judge and ridicule them,” Caroline said. “Everyone deserves that, whoever you are. People that do not have houses are not dirty, addicted, jobless, or have different morals. To be constantly looked over and dehumanized will take a toll on anyone.”
“I think people are too quick to judge the homeless, and they rely on old notions and other people’s experiences to form opinions that the homeless are somehow lesser than them,” she added. “Homeless people are people that are houseless. They are the same as you and I. They have wants, needs and dreams too. They are veterans, single mothers and fathers, construction crew, restaurant workers, mentally ill, physically ill, no family, no parachute, activists, children, and the elderly.”
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Reminding people that they are human and they have value is the best part. . ?: @jessepaul
We applaud Caroline for figuring out a way that she could use her own skills to help those who need it! Think outside the box and see if you can figure out a way to help the homeless in your community yourself!
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