Haircuts for those in need
Ragged Ass Barber owner offers services to day shelter clients
Walter Strong
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, January 21, 2015
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Every couple of months there's considerable jockeying for the best seat in the house at the Safe Harbour day centre.
Earl MacKeinzo, from Deline, gets a trim from Ragged Ass Barbers' Jimmy McGaughey at the Yellowknife day centre. - Walter Strong/NNSL photo |
That's because the best seat in the house is a temporary barbers chair manned by Jimmy McGaughey, co-owner of Ragged Ass Barbers.
McGaughey has been dropping by every couple months to spend a Saturday afternoon giving free haircuts to clients of the day centre. The sessions have been popular, with upwards of 25 getting a trim each time.
Earl Mackeinzo, originally from Deline, hadn't had a haircut in five months. He carefully guarded his position in line.
"I want a number two on the sides," Mackeinzo said. "I'm going to make all the girls jealous."
McGaughey shows up with his barbers kit and stations himself in the back of the centre in a little nook by the office door.
"The first time I did this was in April," McGaughey said.
"I've got the time. It's just something I wanted to do."
Connie Roberts, a staff member at the centre who was tasked that day with keeping the list of people waiting for a haircut said at about 2 p.m. last Saturday, Roberts still had about 11 names on the waiting list.
"It's a wonderful thing," Roberts said. "The word is getting out."
McGaughy isn't sentimental about why he takes a day off and spends it cutting hair for free.
He relates to the folks there who need the lift a fresh haircut brings, but likely can't afford it.
"I've been down and out," McGaughy said. "I know what it's like not to have any money, what it's like to go without."
"I've been there."
For Mackeinzo, the haircut is a big deal. Not only will will it make the ladies jealous, it gives him a boost.
When asked how he felt after getting his fresh style, Mackeinzo was effusive.
"I'm alive," Mackeinzo said. "It makes a big difference, it keeps you light."
"It keeps you going."
Ragged Ass Barbers has been a Yellowknife institution since 2010. Last fall, McGaughey moved Ragged Ass Barbers to the upper level of the YK Centre Mall from its former location on 48 Street in the Nunasi building.
The move wasn't much more than a city block away, but the new location has made a big difference.
"It's more central," McGaughey said. "I get good feedback from the customers."
"They say the parking is better, there's easier access, there's a coffee shop there, Roy's (Audio Video), the grocery store. There's a lot of foot traffic there."
