Long running salon service at Hope House is looking for volunteer hair stylists to fill their hours.
“We've had this salon service almost as long as we've had Hope House,” said Nicole Barrette, volunteer and placement coordinator at Hope House.
Pam Urry started the salon at Hope House nine years ago and called it Hope Stylin’ Hair Salon. Her and other volunteers would set up shop every Wednesday.
After Urry’s 13-year-old son passed away from suicide due to bullying she found herself at Hope House’s Griefwalk program. She thought it would be a great idea to offer haircuts for students going back to school.
Urry left the salon in August, hence why Hope House is looking for volunteers.
“We really have not been able to rebuild because hair stylists have had such a rough go during COVID and it's a big call out,” said Barrette.
Ideally, Barrette said she hopes to have the salon open Monday to Thursday if they get enough volunteers.
Right now the salon is open every other Monday and staffed by two volunteer stylists.
Bethany Gier, has been a stylist for over 13 years and runs her own salon called The Little Salon.
In the fall of 2021 Gier started fundraising for salon supplies for Hope House. In January 2022 the salon had everything it needed to be a full fledged salon. Mirrors, chair, hair wash station, scissors, blow dryer, etc.
“We could have a greater amount of stylists with not as much burnout and more involvement,” said Gier. “I think that would just be great for the community and for all the salons in Guelph to get involved.”
With a larger fleet of stylists they can serve more clients at the Hope House salon, said Gier.
“We are looking for licensed folks and we want them to acknowledge that they will be serving a diverse population. We're looking for non-judgmental, easy going, approachable, friendly stylists that are willing to get to know our whole community,” said Barrette.
Pre-COVID 50 people a month would come to get their haircut. Now, with limited stylist availability, 20 people per month come through the doors.
“It is a pay what you can, including zero with a suggested donation of $3 for adults and for 12 and under nothing, no suggested donation for them,” they said.
There are no eligibility requirements for those accessing the service, although Hope House encourages people to become a registered community member so they can access more services.
“We really believe in that look good, feel good. And that human connection that you receive when somebody's working on your hair and giving you a nice wash and blow dry to make you look your best and feel your best,” said Barrette.
Many people who use the service have difficulty caring for themselves whether it be mobility issues or taking care of their own hair can be hard. The service is essential for some folks, said Barrette.
“We have a lot of people coming that are rebuilding their lives in different ways applying for apartments and jobs. Right now people are really looking for back to school.”
“It's definitely a social community event when you come in to get your haircut. It's not just the haircut, everybody gets their chats in,” said Barrette.
