"Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity." Horace Mann, 1859
What Happens on the Bus?
1. It's a fully licensed barber shop because hair care is part of self care.
Like my past projects, I've chosen a name from my love of music. In the past, SPIN magazine's familiar white arial font in a red rectangle was flipped to became SNIP. John Lydon's band Public Image was the namesake of my Roosevelt Row barber shop/salon/spa. To bridge mental health support with barbering seemed near impossible until listening to The Beastie Boys during a brainstorming session and Check Your Head became the name that stuck for this program. Now, we have a rolling barber shop that has all the sights,smells, sanitation, and feel of a traditional brick and mortar barber plus the peace of mind of continuing to provides so much more than a haircut.
2. I provide peer support while barbering
Over two decades have taught me people open up alot while sitting in the chair getting pampered. I have an easy demeanor. I have attained certification as a Peer Support Specialist to further help individuals. My goal is to provide hope while leaving them looking and feeling better.
3. The initial grant providers calls it "Bold & Innovative".
Here's a mobile barber shop with peer support onboard. It's nonjudgemental, and stigma breaking. This vehicle allows us to meet people where they are at in the field and provide services they may not have had access to in the past. Importantly, Check Your Head also provides linkage to care to address the additional needs of those we serve.
4. More than a haircut
Linkage to care services and resources
- Health and wellness awareness including: cancer, depression,, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, mental health, opioid epidemic, and suicide prevention
- Encouragement for young and non substance users to continue practicing abstinence.
- Encouragement for users to actively practice harm reduction techniques
- Fentanyl test strips for a vulnerable population
- Narcan distribution & education for fellow barbers
At select sites, we partner with other organizations to provide:
- Laundry service
- Showers
- Meals
- Clothing
- Application assistance for state medical insurance
Throughout the year we collaborate with others to provide:
- a local eye doctor twice a year provides free eyeglasses
- a local nurse practioner to provides medical screenings four times a year.
- We always offer blood pressure checks to anyone in my chair.
- Diabetes screening
- Maybe you offer a service you'd love to offer weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually? We need volunteers to help run and expand our programs effectively. Your support can help us achieve our goals.
THE DREADED BARBER is an Arizona-based nonprofit 501(c)3 charity providing free haircuts, mental health awareness, peer support, opioid epidemic info, dignity, harm reduction, and hope in a confidential, innovative, licensed, nonjudgmental, safe, and trauma informed mobile unit.
Copyright © 2025 The Dreaded Barber - All Rights Reserved.
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