Local stylists give free haircuts for the homeless

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. (WDRB) -- For the homeless, a hot meal and a warm blanket helps, but a haircut can change a life. 

It's been at least been a month or a half or so since John Paul Blankenship's last haircut.

"It makes you feel better I guess physically and mentally to me," he said. 

He's been in and out of jail and on and off the streets for many years, stuck in a cycle of homelessness. 

"We're not bad people we just make bad choices sometimes and we don't know how to change that," Blankenship said. 

Blankenship has found a family within local outreach group Jesus Cares at Exit 0. The group brought in stylists to provide the homeless with free haircuts Sunday afternoon.

"Sometimes this is the kick start that they need just to start a new life," Director Paul Stensrud said. "It gives them dignity and it provides them some hope, and especially if you're starting a new job, it gives you a new look and you feel good about yourself."

Stylists from Sport Clips in Jeffersonville volunteered their time, stepping to help spark a change. 

"I always remind myself that God gave me these hands that I use on a daily basis to work with these gentlemen," Shop Manager and hairstylist Kristi Simon said. "Very, very heartwarming to actually be involved in the transition that they have the opportunity to make."

With each buzz and snip of a shear, a transformation slowly starts.

"You look more presentable to society, they don't look at you like oh you're a down and out homeless person," Blankenship said. 

Sometimes that new-found confidence can be the push someone needs to steps to better their lives. 

"A lot of these men have goals and they have aspirations to do far more than they're able to do," Simon said. 

With a new haircut and refreshed outlook, the future looks a little brighter for Blankenship. 

"Tomorrow at 8 a.m. I gotta be at brand new probation and then get that started and then I'm going to go job hunting," he said."I've got to get a job and make things right. I've got to quit talking about it and do it."

Jesus Cares at Exit 0 is a homeless outreach ministry based in Jeffersonville serving southern Indiana and Louisville. The organization is always looking for volunteers to assist with their missions. 

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