By Molly Monroe
“Everybody needs a haircut, but not everyone can afford one”, Dayton Newsone said as he trimmed an Interfaith Sanctuary guest’s hair.
For an afternoon, the shelter lobby was transformed into a barbershop complete with the stylist chair Newsone donated, hair clippings scattered on the floor, and a folding table of razors, scissors, combs and a hand mirror for the barber to work with.
One by one, guests took their seats and left looking refreshed. When Newsone held up a mirror for them, guests smiled with approval of their new reflection. He enjoys making people feel good about themselves and hopes that the newfound confidence after getting a simple haircut goes a long way.
One guest, Shyloh Crawfurd, received a haircut on his 20th birthday and said that getting a haircut made him “feel his best”. He said he even felt more confident, productive and motivated in his online schooling.
About fifteen people signed up and patiently waited for their turn. Spirits were lifted and hair was perfected, with an act of generosity. Out of the kindness of his heart, Newsone plans to visit the shelter three times a month and the family shelter once a month to give guests professional haircuts.
The barber of six years works at V’s Barbershop, an establishment recognized as Idaho’s best barber five years in a row. But for him, the real reward is making people feel better.