This weekend, more than 100 free haircuts and braids will be available for youth in Toronto’s St. James Town neighbourhood, just in time for back-to-school season.
Confident Cuts is a project by non-profit organization The Kickback Foundation, in partnership with Penny Appeal Canada and JD Sports Canada. For a seventh year in a row, the project is helping underserved communities in the city by having 15 barbers and 10 braiders provide 100 haircuts and 40 braid-ups for youth ages six to 18 years old.
This year, the event is being held in St. James Town at 375 Bleecker St. Kickback says this location was chosen because there are very few programs and events for youth in this community, despite having a dense population.
Founder and Executive Director of Kickback Jamal Burger says Confident Cuts was inspired by one of the first members of The Kickback Foundation, Mac Madrigal.
“He’s a really close friend of mine, and he’s been a big part and big lead in a lot of our community activations. He works at a barber shop in Toronto called Barberia Uno and he always believed in making an impact in the community in his own way,” he said in an interview with Now Toronto on Friday.
He says Madrigal is the true champion behind the idea of giving kids free haircuts before they embark on the busiest time of the year.
“For me, with Kickback, being the founder, I’ve always been very keen and passionate to see friends and extended community members make an impact in the best way that they can. And Kickback, honestly, is an agent for staying true to our essence and like making sure kids go back to school feeling confident about themselves,” Burger said.
Confident Cuts centralizes on themes such as confidence, equity, and anti-bullying to help instill empowerment and self-assurance as they prepare for a new school year.
Burger says the response to the event has always been positive and reaffirming especially when they see the smiles on the kids faces as they get out of the chair with a fresh cut.
At the event, barbers and braiders will act as mentors and give each child personalized attention by focusing on their individual needs and preferences. During their grooming sessions, they will offer encouragement, positive messages and words of advice.
“Sometimes sitting in a barber chair is almost like a therapy session and I say that in a very light-hearted way, but it is. It is an opportunity to connect and ask the questions that they might not feel safe to ask in other situations,” Burger explained.
“So, to see them get up with clarity and confidence. I mean, that’s all you can hope for in kids, especially when they’re going to schools where either the schools are underfunded or they don’t have the resources within the school to attend to everything that these kids need throughout the year,” he continued.
In addition to the grooming services, there will also be various engaging activities to keep family and friends entertained such as games, arts and crafts and sports. This event serves as an opportunity for families to connect and show support to one other.
Confident Cuts will take place on the Bleecker Street Basketball Court on Sept. 1 between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m, on a first-come first-serve basis. All participants will be receiving a new school backpack from Lululemon filled with products from Herschel, Kensington Grey and new shoes courtesy of JD Sports.
