Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope and MC College provide free haircuts to those in need

It was a special day for many homeless people in Winnipeg, as Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope teamed up with MC College to provide free haircuts to those who otherwise wouldn’t have this opportunity.

For many individuals like Michelle Hourie, Wednesday afternoon marked their first hair cut in years.

“Not for a long time, years probably,” said Hourie, received a haircut.

“This is not something that were able to do everyday, so people are really excited, and they want to show you their new haircuts,” said Mark Stewart, Executive Director, Salvation Army Winnipeg Centre of Hope.

It really feels good in the building right now with all of the activity and Christmas is around the corner, we just want everybody to experience kindness,” he added.

“Everybody deserves to look good and feel good for the holidays so that’s hopefully what were bringing a little bit of here,” said Nathan Beaton, Instructor at MC College.

This is the second year in a row that students and instructors at MC College spent an afternoon cutting hair at the Centre of Hope, and they we’re very happy to spread some Christmas cheer while perfecting their skills.

“I have a couple of students that were with me last year and they actually asked to come back because they had so much fun, so it’s good it mean’s a lot to them,” said Beaton.

“We just want everyone to feel like they can have a connection with us, that people care about them, we want to hear their stories, and really Christmas is for everybody,” said Stewart.

Along with the free haircuts, the Centre of Hope also prepared 1500 turkey dinners for the community to enjoy Wednesday night.

“Not everyone is in connection with their family so if we can come alongside them, listen to their stories and care for them for just the night, that’s something hopefully we’ll cherish as volunteers and as servants but hopefully they’ll cherish as well,” said Stewart.