No Hair Left Behind Event Brings Much Needed Services to the Community

With a goal of 100 haircuts, organizers behind the No Hair Left Behind event hoped to not only help people look better, but feel better too, with health screenings, social services and some friendly interaction.

Kelly Toth, APRN, system director of Neighborhood Health Operations, Hartford Healthcare, said Neighborhood Health teamed up with a local barber and the pastor of South Church in Hartford, to help those experiencing homelessness receive health screenings, a free haircut, a pair of shoes, breakfast and a hot lunch to go.

“When we can establish relationships with people, they get more comfortable. They might not receive services from the clinic the first time we see them, but by the second or third time then they are more open to it,” Toth said. She explained they have relationships with shelters and soup kitchens in the area and saw many familiar faces stop by for a free haircut and a hot lunch on Sunday.

She met Miguel Delvalle, who owns a local barbershop, when she was out in the neighborhood, and when she explained what she did, he wanted to team up for this event.

“It’s important that the community knows they are not left behind,” said Delvalle, owner of Wise Guys Scissor Society Barber Shop in Hartford. He struggled with homelessness himself, he said, from age 16-18 and again in his 20s. “I went from homeless to homeowner and then shop owner,” he said. “Often people feel lost and forgotten, even by their own families. We want to let them know we care.”

“As I visited with the teams and spoke with some of the participants of the event, I was inspired by the spirit of collaboration and compassion that filled the room,” said Bimal Patel, Hartford HealthCare Hartford Region president and senior vice president, Hartford HealthCare.

Read more about the event on the Hartford HealthCare Health NewsHub.