Street Thugs at it again

“Look good, feel good.”

That's the motto Idaho Street Thug Paul Nemec, from Bulwark Barber, promotes when he volunteers to cut hair at the St. Vincent de Paul HELP Center.

He had to dust the motto off Friday, the first time in a year the pandemic allowed Nemec & Co. to do their magic on St. Vinny clients.

Founder of the Idaho chapter of the international movement “Street Thug Barbers,” Nemec and fellow Bulwark barber Tyler Whitaker have spent many hours offering free hair services to the homeless.

Since founding the chapter in 2018, which is one of five globally, the Street Thugs have provided over 500 services for HELP Center residents.

"I feel like this is what keeps my passion alive," Nemec said Friday. "This is why I became a barber, to provide a service to the community. I love my paying customers, but doing this is more important."

Out of all the hair he's styled, Whitaker said the services he's provided through the program have given him the most enjoyment.

"It's not just about making money, but what I can do to help make a lot of people feel good about themselves," Whitaker said. "I don't think people realize how much a haircut or a beard trim means to people."

For some of the clients that came in to St. Vincent’s shelter next to Father Bill's Kitchen Friday morning, it had been months since they had gone to a barbershop. Others, it was years, and for one it had been almost two decades.

Jason Howell was the first client in Nemec's chair Friday morning. When he walked in, Howell was hesitant; he couldn’t remember the last time he went to a barbershop.

"About a month ago. Wait, maybe two months ago. I don't know, maybe a year or so?" Howell said.

As Nemec trimmed the back of Howell's brown hair and cleaned up his beard, Howell relaxed, even smiled.

That smile was shared by the Street Thugs' other clients, like Cassie Spinner, whose most recent haircut consisted of a pair of kitchen scissors and a chair in the backyard.

She'd been at the St. Vincent de Paul HELP Center for about a month after a battle with depression, COVID-19 infection, and the loss of her career.

Through St. Vincent, Spinner said she had been connected to intensive therapists, job prospects, and housing resources.

"I feel safe. Do you know what I mean? I feel like I have so much support," Spinner said.

When asked if she was excited to receive her hair cut by Sandpoint resident Lisa Teirney, a new addition to the group with experience cutting women's hair, she could barely contain her enthusiasm.

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, yes," Spinner said, laughing. "I even did my makeup today, and I feel pretty."

One of these haircuts' typical prices would be about $25, $40 for the wash, cut, and style. Though this may seem like a small price to pay for most, it's a considerable cost for those who struggle to get basic amenities.

That's why the Street Thugs clear their schedules, bring their products, and provide these trims free of cost to make a difference in the community and help get people back on their feet.

"Back in the day, there was a saying: 'Look good, feel good,' and it's true. By giving someone a haircut, they can feel more confident walking into interviews, they can go get a job and look professional," Nemec said. "When you look good, you carry yourself differently, with confidence. Not that you feel smug, but that you can carry your head a little higher."

Terry Meadows, who has flowed in and out of the HELP Center for years, is one of those success cases and just got a job at Home Depot.

"This place saved my life, seriously. They kept me alive here. They let me shower, helped me with nice clothes for my interview, and now I'm getting a haircut," Meadows said. "These guys are awesome. I mean, they've helped a lot of people. Just being here in the morning and being friendly, helping out, that's a lot."