It’s Not Just a Haircut: How Small Acts Create Big Shifts

At first glance, it might look like a simple act. A folding chair on a sidewalk. A pair of clippers. A volunteer stylist leaning in, meeting someone’s eyes. But at Make-A-Day, we know these moments hold much more than they seem.

Every month, during our outreach and pop-up events, our team offers free haircuts to unhoused and housing-insecure guests. And every month, we’re reminded just how powerful that offering can be.

A haircut isn’t just about appearance. It’s about dignity. It’s about the opportunity to feel like yourself again, especially when life has been heavy or unstable. Grooming is something many of us take for granted—a fresh cut before a job interview, a moment of calm and care in a busy week, a way to step into the world feeling like we belong.

For many of our guests, that opportunity doesn’t come often.

In 2024, we provided over 500 haircuts through our pop-ups and outreach efforts. Each one was a chance to connect. A chance to say, “You matter.” A chance to build trust that might lead to deeper support, case management, housing navigation, or a warm meal shared in safety.

As one guest told us,

"I haven’t looked in a mirror in months. I forgot what I looked like. This... it helps me feel like myself again."

These moments might not look like systems change. But they are.

They challenge the idea that people experiencing homelessness should only receive the basics. They interrupt the cycle of neglect by offering something rooted in choice, connection, and care. They create space for healing, starting with the smallest of acts.

And for us, that’s where justice begins. With radical hospitality. With presence. With dignity.

Because at Make-A-Day, we know it’s never just a haircut.

It’s a beginning.

💈 Want to support dignity-first outreach in Columbus? Volunteer, donate, or partner with us today.