What HANDS OF FAVOR is all about: We began from an experience I had a long time a ago when I answered an ad in the local newspaper asking for volunteer hairstylists and barbers to give up an hour or two one Saturday to give haircuts to indigent children at the Salvation Army. I had never volunteered for any type of community or charitable service before then. I signed up, and it changed me! There were only four of us that volunteered, and we had about 35 to 50 children show up that day. What an experience it was for me. Children of all colors, cultures and races were there. I remember one little boy in particular, he must have been about eight years old, very shy and withdrawn. My recollection of him, was that he had been bullied and put down and as a result had an extremely low sense of self-esteem. He never looked me in the eye, as a matter of fact, he kept his gaze on the floor constantly. I asked him what he wanted me to do for him, he just shrugged his shoulders. So I asked his mom what she preferred. She gave me permission to do whatever made him look like the other kids at school. At that time, the popular style was a tight fade with plenty length on top to spike up and wear messy. I gave him “the cut” and gave him a mirror………at that very moment he saw his image in the mirror, his entire countenance changed!! His eyes widened, his complexion flushed with color! He jumped up from my chair and ran to his mom yelling in a loud, happy voice…….MOMEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! At that moment, I came to realize that for some kids, even a new haircut, or hairstyle can have an effect on the way a child feels about themselves. They feel like they “fit”, they need to feel like they are like all the other children. It is a simple thing, but for a child that has low self-esteem, it can make a huge difference, just like a new pair of shoes, or a new outfit to wear, its can really be a difference maker. That experience never left me, and now through the generous hearts of a few caring individuals, our dream is coming true. We will be taking our service through-out the Vancouver, Portland area, giving free or low-cost haircuts, refreshments and a willing ear to in-need children, with the help and partnerships of many local organizations with same heart for kids. If you are a church, school, or organization that caters to children and youth, contact us and we will be more than happy to accommodate you. You supply the location and we do all the rest.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Nov 2013 21:24:19 +0000
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