40 barbers team up to give free haircuts to Conn. residents

HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) – Miguel Delvalle grew up in a troubled neighborhood and said he moved to Hartford with nothing but a pair of scissors.

“Cutting hair saved my life,” Delvalle said.

After going through challenges himself, the Wise Guys owner gives back to those who need it most.

“Not everyone who is homeless has the same story, and sometimes they are even skeptical to open to just anybody, but to the barbers, they tell us everything, and that’s where we’ve kind of been able to nitpick what their needs are and match it with a nonprofit so tomorrow they will both be in the building,” Devlvalle said.

Delvalle’s generosity has outgrown his Main Street shop, so the founder and CEO of Wise Guys Scissor Society rented out Dunkin’ Park on Monday for an event equipped with 40 barbers from across the state to offer hundreds of free cuts.

Watch a preview of the event in the player below:

The event was sponsored by Hartford HealthCare with the goal of not just helping people look better, but feel better with free health screenings and free food.

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be the haircut; you can come for the services,” Delvalle said.

Delvalle helps beyond the homeless, shifting traditional hair schooling that costs around $20,000 by offering training and experience out of his barbershop.

“It’s a win-win for everybody, you know the community gets services for an affordable rate, the students get an affordable education,” Delvalle said.

For Kasandra Sanchez, Monday’s event was the opportunity to help Alex, her 7-year-old son with autism, get a haircut.

“No parent wants to take their kid out to get their hair done or anything and not be able to get it done because their child is crying,” he said, adding that Alex initially thought they were going to the ballpark to go to a baseball game.

Last week, Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Conn.) signed a bill that requires training for barbers and stylists to include all hair types and textures, something Delvalle already teaches.

“That’s why I have so many stylists and barbers so that when you come in, no matter what your hair looks, we are going to address that. I think it’s cool the legislation is changing and it’s adapting,” Delvalle said.

The mission is deeply personal to Delvalle.

“I changed my life, I never looked back, and now I use my story to inspire others,” he said. “Hoping that through clippers and barbering, maybe I can save another one and another one.”

Delvalle’s business is expanding next door with a salon that is expected to open in August. It will offer a private space for Muslim women to remove their hijabs to get a haircut.

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