City rolls out program that gives homeless free haircuts prior to job interviews

Todd Marsh, Rochester welfare director (Rochester Voice file photo)

ROCHESTER - The city's welfare chief has launched a new initiative designed to provide interview-ready, professional haircuts for residents experiencing homelessness who have upcoming job interviews.

Beginning Aug. 15, the initiative will partner with multiple local barbershops and salons and is funded through an existing allocation in the welfare department's budget. This initiative builds on the success of Rochester's 2024 laundry assistance initiative.

"Homelessness is a nationwide, multifaceted challenge that requires a multi-pronged approach," said Todd Marsh, the city's welfare director. "While no single approach can eliminate homelessness, offering professional haircuts is an additional actionable step within a developing broader homelessness response strategy. The initiative benefits people experiencing homelessness, businesses seeking employees, and the overall economy."

"Both initiatives go beyond promoting better hygiene and a sense of dignity," added Marsh. "They have practical impacts of increasing opportunities for employment and housing attainment."

"Supercuts believes a fresh haircut can provide a fresh start," said Patty Mistretta, Co-Owner of the local Supercuts franchise. "Presentation matters, and this haircut initiative offers an innovative approach to addressing real-world employment barriers for people. We're honored to partner with Director Marsh and to be part of a larger effort within our community in Rochester."

To access haircut assistance, residents must complete a one-page form through a participating helping provider agency. Applicants must attest to primarily living in Rochester, verify a scheduled job interview, and attest their inability to afford a haircut. Helping provider agencies will acknowledge their familiarity with the residents and coordinate with the welfare office to ensure assistance is used for the initiative's purpose.

"To gain and maintain support, we must balance our humanitarian initiatives with financial accountability for the taxpayers who fund them," said Marsh. "Humane and cost-effective solutions are not mutually exclusive."