Barbershops to mentor kids
Youth will have opportunity to be mentored and earn free haircuts
TROY, N.Y. >> Three barbershops in the Collar City will take some time out of their busy schedules to mentor youth in the city.
Foreva Fly Cuts, at 611 2nd Ave., Fade Factory, at 114 Congress St. and Troy Grooming Co., at 205 River St., are all partnering with Team Helping Everyone Recognize Opportunities, Commission of Economic Opportunity and the Troy Boys and Girls Club for a community mentoring initiative.
Organizers said the initiative is being called “A Cut Above” and that it is a new program intended to be used as a merit system/internship/trade program for the youth in the community.
“This is going to allow our young people to be incentivized through haircuts and possible apprenticeships,” said Jennifer Livingston of Team H.E.R.O. “We’ll recognize young people for doing community service or any recognizable thing that they are doing.
Livingston also said they are
using the partnership as a way to make sure that youth in the city will be able to get free haircuts.
“If a young person hasn’t had a haircut, sometimes they kind of act out or have behavioral problems because they’re not looking good or feeling good, so
we’re going to use that as an asset too,” she said.
“These three barbers have come to us all on different occasions wanting to be involved in what we’re doing,” added Jerry Ford of Team H.E.R.O.
A couple of the local barbers from the participating shops met up Sunday afternoon to share their thoughts on the initiative and explain why they wanted to be a part of it.
“This is all about giving back to the youth,” said Naquin Walls, owner of Foreva Fly Cuts. “It’s about making an impact on the youth in the community. Positive mentorship is definitely important, everybody needs somebody they can look up to. We don’t reward the kids enough these days, we always look at the bad that they’re doing not the good, we don’t always re-
ward them for the good they’re doing,” added Aric Jordan, owner of Fade Factory.
Organizers explained that certificates will be given out to participating organizations that will monitor and award the young person based on commendable behavior. Some example of commendable behavior could be; good grades/ grade improvement, community ser-
vice, a young person going above and beyond, or simply a young person in need that could not otherwise receive a haircut when necessary.
Livingston said the program is intended to be based on a reward-merit system but also an underlined opportunity for our local community leaders to add a benefit to our youth by encouraging positive behaviors and opening a
chance to reach the young person from a different perspective.
“Usually kids will talk to the barber before they really express themselves to anyone else, so I feel that if I’m in position to be behind that chair that I might get somebody to talk to me,” said Jordan.
People that want to learn more about the program can contact theblockcenter@gmail.com