SAN ANTONIO — The clouds cooperated and blustery tropical breezes lightened the mood at a downtown San Antonio event designed to bring comfort and joy to those who need it most.
The idea worked.
The line to partake in the party formed early and traffic was steady throughout the morning as Centro San Antonio partnered with Christian Assistance Ministry to host an event they called "Clips, Coffee and Confidence," offering a chance for the unsheltered to enjoy simple services many people take for granted.
"We take for granted how important a haircut is," said Trish DeBerry of Centro San Antonio. "For them, it's not only transforming their look, but also really their lives because it gives them confidence. That's what's necessary sometimes to make that decision to get off the streets."
"It's important for people to feel like they have hope, that they are a human being, that they deserve to look and feel good," added Dawn White-Fosdick of Christian Assistance Ministry.
Students from Dapper G Barber College kept up the pace in transforming folks, some of whom had gone months or longer without care.
Matthew said he got rid of a ponytail to better cope with the heat.
"On top of that, I carry a heavy backpack around every day too," he said. "So every little bit helps."
Wearing a broad smile, he added it felt very good to be pampered for a change.
Wearing a bracelet that reads "Stop. Think. Act.," one volunteer student said it's advice that applies to haircuts and life.
"It applies to everything and it makes me feel good to help people because they may be able to go out and get a job."
"If you've got a fresh cut and a good line up, you feel like a new man," Ronnie said. "You feel like you can do anything you want to do."
White-Fosdick agrees.
"The reason that we do this work is that we want people to see that there is a possibility for them beyond living on the street," she said. "So while we are caring for them where they are today, it's with the idea that we are giving them hope for the future."
"Centro is very gratified to do something small that could transform someone's life, maybe tomorrow, maybe down the road—we don't know," DeBerry said. "But today it's making them feel a whole lot better. What we have seen from the attendance today is maybe we need to do this more regularly."
DeBerry said the homeless response system among local service agencies is doing amazing work, but there is always a need for more volunteers.
"To provide lunches, provide coffee. Something as simple as when you see a person on the street, say hello to them. Give them a smile. Ask how they're doing, " DeBerry said. "Many times they feel faceless and they feel ignored. They feel like they're not human any more."
To learn more about organizations trying to improve the quality of life downtown, visit the websites for Centro San Antonio and Christian Assistance Ministry.
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