Teens Giving Back

Jack and Emma Heeney already understand the importance of giving back. Jack needed a project for his Eagle Scout rank. He asked his former Scout Master for ideas. Monty McCann, Life Safety Officer at Haven gave Jack a tour and pointed out two projects.  The butterfly garden or the Hair Care Center.

Haven has operated a Hair Care Center since opening its doors in 2010. Volunteer barbers and hairdressers provide free haircuts and styles to Haven clients. For someone who has been experiencing homelessness, this is very impactful. A fresh haircut or style boosts one’s confidence, especially for a job interview. The Hair Care Center lacked personality and many of the supplies needed by the volunteers.

Haircare Center Transformation

The remodel included new flooring, paint, frames around the mirrors, larger barber chairs, back bars for supplies, a TV, and a cordless vacuum. As a bonus, Jack secured a donated barber shop pole.  The project helped Jack earn his Eagle Scout rank, the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts program. And Jack is only 15.

His sister Emma, age 17, got involved and is going for her Gold Star ranking (equivalent to the Eagle Scout) for the Girl Scouts. She secured supplies – clippers, scissors, hair care products, brushes, combs, etc. A family friend took photos on campus and around San Antonio. The black and white photos on the Hair Care Center walls add personality to the transformed space.

The value of the project is more than $13,000 and took approximately six months to complete. Haven’s volunteer barbers are thrilled with the new “look” and hope to recruit more volunteers to help in the Hair Care Center and make it accessible to clients multiple days per week.

Watch the impact of this project when KSAT interviewed Jack and Emma and one of Haven’s clients and volunteer barbers. It will inspire you.  Click here to watch!

Did you know that socks are the #1 requested item among those experiencing homelessness? Haven for Hope distributes more than 1,500 pairs of socks each month. David Chancellor, morning anchor for News4 San Antonio does a segment called “Sock it to Monday.” News4 wanted to help Haven’s clients by sponsoring a sock drive.

During the month of October, in partnership with News4 San Antonio and participating Subway restaurants, we are asking the community to purchase new socks (men’s, women’s, and children’s sizes) and donate them to Haven for Hope.

Socks can be dropped off at the following Subway locations:

Or you can purchase a pair  of socks from our Amazon Wish List and have them shipped directly to our organization. Click here!

Thank you for supporting Haven for Hope!