Barber fades away autism insecurities
City Cuts barber creates Fading Autism, offers free cuts to autistic kids
KUTZTOWN » A barber at City Cuts Barbershop in Kutztown gives free haircuts to children with autism.
Kutztown resident Frankel Antoine, 24, originally from Orange, N.J., and a graduate of East Stroudsburg High School North in Bushkill, created Fading Autism in December 2015 while a communications studies major at Kutztown University. He has been a licensed barber at City Cuts Barbershop since 2012.
A personal experience with autism motivates Antoine to help people diagnosed with autism. His little brother Amos, who is now 19, was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
“I remember giving haircuts to my little brother,” he said. “I learned how something as simple as a haircut can change the lives of those diagnosed with ASD, by giving them confidence and a boost in their self-esteem.”
His goal is to help people diagnosed with autism and to spread awareness about autism.
“Fading Autism was created to fade away any insecurities a person on the spectrum may be feeling and inspire them to grow
and be great,” said Antoine, who founded Fading Autism as his senior capstone project to conduct an autism awareness campaign. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications studies in 2015.
“I’m just happy to see that people are receptive to the program and they’re using it and I’m happy I can say I’m my brother’s keeper. That means we are all brothers and sisters here. We’re supposed to all have each other’s back. I want to help my brother and everyone like him. Everyone else with autism is my brother, too, so I’m just here to set an example because that’s what we are — a community — so we’re supposed to help each other out,” he said.
Antoine’s non profit work connected him with City Cuts owner Jonathan Escueta. Learning that Antoine was cutting hair in the dorms, Escueta offered Antoine a job at his barbershop. Antoine got his barber’s license and began working at City Cuts in 2012.
“He has allowed me not only to use my degree but allowed me to be creative and help the community by using his platform,” said Antoine, calling Escueta a mentor and a big brother. “I’m happy that he allowed me to be creative in his establishment, allows me to give these haircuts in his establishment.”
Escueta said Antoine has started a wonderful opportunity with Fading Autism and supports him 100 percent.
“When he came to me with the idea, given that his brother is autistic, I was more than thrilled because the idea hit close to home. His heart fueled his passion for something near and dear and there was no way I wasn’t going to support it,” said Escueta who established City Cuts Barbershop in 2006 to provide urban haircuts.
Escueta believes in giving back to the community, in both Kutztown and Allentown.
“We cannot take from our town and not give back, it’s not how we run things,” said Escueta.
Fading Autism recently became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, raising funds for Fading Autism events, haircuts and T-shirts. The organization spreads awareness about autism via social media.
“It’s a way for people to learn about what autism is because I feel as though autism is very prevalent today but no one’s talking about it,” said Antoine.
During every haircut at City Cuts, he talked about Fading Autism.
“It’s bringing more light to autism as a whole. That’s one thing I feel Fading Autism is doing, it’s promoting autism awareness,” he said. “Autism is prevalent in 1 in 55 babies being born today. It’s three times more likely to happen in boys than girls. I feel like the other question to ask is who is giving these guys haircuts? And is why I feel like Fading Autism can work. And it can be an important tool for families to use. One less headache for mothers to worry about.”
Antoine feels that most importantly, the free haircuts promote a positive mental outlook for children with autism.
“When I get a haircut, I feel a little better. I look in the mirror and say, ‘Yeah, I do look good.’ I don’t need anyone to tell me that. That’s the feeling I want to deliver to these kids,” Antoine said. “I want to deliver that look good, feel good attitude. A simple haircut, that’s what I’m trying to do. Fading Autism, fading away any insecurities for individuals with autism may be feeling and inspire them to grow and be great.”
The mother of a client, Kimberly Herman, said Fading Autism is amazing.
“It is almost impossible to locally find a barber who will happily take kids with autism. Frank not only is more than happy to take these kids, but goes way above and beyond what he has to do. He comes in early to open the shop up so that it is a one-onone experience. He takes his personal time to call to find out about the kids and literally enjoys getting to know about them. Above all, he does this for free. He only asks that you pass the word about the program.”
Antoine feels Fading Autism has the potential to grow beyond Kutztown.
“Open your doors. Let’s give back to the people that don’t have a voice. Individuals with autism are very sensitive. They don’t like loud noises. They don’t like being in the spotlight. Someone has to speak up for them. I believe that’s what I’m doing,” he added.
Fading Autism is sponsored by Kutztown University fraternity Tau Delta Phi, a service fraternity.