By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IT’S a feeling the homeless rarely get- the feeling of stepping out with a new hairdo.
Hairdresser Kara Rangitonga wants to give those struggling- of no fixed address- the chance to feel confident again.
It’s called ‘Style For A Smile’, it’s free and it’s taking off in the south-east.
Ms Rangitonga, who has never been homeless herself but has “been down on her luck”, said she wanted 2016 to be the year.
“I just felt like I wanted to give back this year, more than any other year,” Ms Rangitonga said.
“I’ve always thought about volunteering at a soup kitchen or something, and I haven’t got around to it.
“But last Christmas holidays, I saw a video of a girl in the US doing something similar and I thought, I can do that.”
Ms Rangitonga along with six other hairdressers who are volunteering their time will cut hair for the homeless and those doing it tough for five hours on Saturday 28 May.
Support service centres across the south-east have been given 120 vouchers for a free haircut and Ms Rangitonga and her team of helpers expect to cut up to 140 people’s hair on the day.
“The Narre Community Learning Centre were kind enough to lend us their salon for the day,” she said.
The local community have assisted in making personal hygiene goodie bags to be given to those that need it most on the day.
Ms Rangitonga, a hairdresser of 23 years, said after some research she realised feel good outlets such as free haircuts for the homeless were limited in Melbourne.
“There’s a lot in the way of clothes washing and showering and food, but nothing to do with boosting confidence.
“Haircuts can help people feel better about themselves and boost how we feel for the rest of the day- and that’s a free feeling.”
Blankets, clothes, shoes and handbags have been donated to Style For A Smile for clients to pick through after their haircut.
The Style For A Smile team will be at the Narre Community Learning Centre from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 28 May.
