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The C.A.R.E Cuts Program

The C.A.R.E Cuts program is for people in primarily underserved areas that do not get life necessities that typical people take for granted and have come to expect. Fresh fruits and vegetables, sanitary living conditions and personal grooming such as hair services are just to name a few.  

Think of a haircut. This is a service that makes people feel fresh, immediately more confidant good about themselves and they smile back when they look in the mirror.  

Hence the namesake for the program: 

C.A.R.E stands for Confidence, Appearance, Respect & Esteem. 

 Our organization, The Urban Barber Association(TUBA) feels that these words should apply to every human being regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, address, or income.  

     Many of us realize how important a fresh haircut is and it is included in their day-to-day life or part of the weekly errands. But for others, this is not a way of life and it is seen as a luxury and not able to be afforded. When you look good you feel good, this is not merely the opinion of TUBA, science supports this as well. Author and psychologist Dr. Vivian Diller states, " most of us accept that looks matter. We know that our appearance impacts our personal, social, and professional lives. We also know that how we feel influences how we look and vice versa" (2013).  

   The Urban Barber Association(TUBA) has collaborated with several organizations in the Cleveland area that welcome the C.A.R.E Cuts program and understand the importance of a haircut on someone’s overall well-being.  A haircut is more than just looking good.  It is about feeling like you are worthy.  It is about being refreshed. 

Friends of the C.A.R.E. Cuts Program include: Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center, the Veterans Association, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries/ Catholic Charities, Y-Haven, and local homeless shelters. Neighborhood schools, churches, recreation centers, & nursing facilities are in our constant rotation as well. We are always looking for support for the C.A.R.E Cuts program and have a growing need in the community. 

They call it the ‘silver tsunami’, Americans are living longer and at the same time, the birth rate is decreasing. 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 years of age each day.  Today, more than 15 million older adults are economically insecure and Cleveland has the highest poverty rate among U.S. large cities per The Center for Community Solutions (2020).   We have 12,000 older adults in Cleveland that live in poverty, this number grew by 22.7 percent and is on an increasing trend.  

About 50% of seniors rely solely on Social Security for most of their income. When residing in a skilled nursing facility as a resident, the resident only receives $30-$40 a month of their Social Security check as most expected expenses are covered by the facility.  Hair cuts are not included in this, and often are not within the budget of the resident as they have other necessities that take precedence such as prepaid funeral expenses, clothing, toiletries, phone service.