The event was held by the nonprofit organization Hairstylists for Humanity, an organization that travels around the United States connecting with local barbers, then offering free haircuts to people facing houselessness and others in need.

The nonprofit was founded by hairstylists Mykal Velozo in 2021, who relocated from Portland to Los Angeles, where he found inspiration to start the nonprofit.

“Being new to the area, he struggled to find hair models to practice techniques. However, a chance encounter with a bus driver—a single mother struggling to make ends meet—inspired him to look inward and provide his complimentary professional services to those in need,” the Hairstylists for Humanity website says. “Partnering with local shelters, Velozo homed in his skills which also fueled his passion for giving back. He began to establish relationships with nonprofits, like Dress for Success, where he provided weekly haircuts to women reentering the workforce. Realizing the impact of his work, he expanded his efforts and founded Hairstylists for Humanity in 2021.”

On Saturday, Hairstylists for Humanity held an event at Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse Square.

“It’s food for the soul,” Derek Nelson of Troublemaker Barber and Ale Social Club told KOIN 6 News. “(I’m smiling) from the inside just to be able to give back. I’ve lived here my whole life. I’m a seventh generation Oregonian and it needs a lot of love right now and I think we’re moving in the right direction to get it back to where it was before.”

This marks the second haircutting event Hairstylists for Humanity has held in Portland.

“You can take a couple hours of your day and make sure everybody’s feeling better,” Nelson said. “That’s the least we can do as humans is help out another human.”