The Beginner’s Guide to “Haircuts For The Homeless” Events

Feeling inspired? Ready to host a “Haircuts For The Homeless” event in your community? We’ve got all the details on how to host an event like this from Mandie Barnes, founder of From Ogden With Love, who has put on two events in her community after getting inspired by Mark Bustos and his #BeAwesomeToSomebody movement. She created this guide for others who aren’t sure where to start. Read Mandie’s story, then host your own event!

1. Find a space and partner.
Contact a local shelter, Boys and Girls club or other organization who can host the event. See if their space will work for your event, and discuss a time and date that is mutually beneficial.

2. Start recruiting stylists.

If you need to, have stylists sign up in shifts, Mandie advises. “That way, some hairdressers can come for an hour or two if that’s all they can do,” she adds. 

3. Design and print promotional materials.
Mandie has a graphic designer friend who created promo materials for free, then asked a local printer to donate the printing for the event.  

4. Spread the word.
Pass out flyers and hang posters so the homeless in your community know the event is happening. 

5. Get your supplies.
Mandie had her volunteers bring their shears and clippers, and got the rest of the supplies donated. Here is her list of what you can ask for when you find a beauty supply sponsor: 

• Capes: 12
• Gloves: one small box, one medium box
• Squirt bottles: 5
• Gel: 1 liter
• Combs: 40
• Towels: 100 (this number could depend on whether you’re washing hair or not)
• Mirrors: 5
• Barbicide: 1 liter
• Barbicide container or spray: 3

Additional, non-beauty-related items that Mandie secured were:

• Extension cords
• Garbage bags
• Music speakers
• Brooms and dust pans

6. Secure food donations.
Mandie suggests having food to serve so that if not everyone can get a haircut, at least they can get a meal. Ask local restaurants. 

7. See what else you can provide.
Don’t stop at haircuts and food. See if others in your community are interested in donating clothes, nonperishables or other items. 

8. Have a sign-in sheet.
On the day of the event, a sign-in sheet can help you keep track of how many haircuts you do or anything else you want to know, such as age or how they learnd about the event. 

9. Get someone to document the event.
A videographer and photographer were super important to Mandie because it was a way to remember the day forever. This doesn’t have to cost money—see if people will donate their time! 

10. Send out thank you notes.
Send one to everyone who made the event happen. It’s not only polite—it will also help them remember you and your event for next year.