Matthew Miller moves swiftly, managing a fast-paced scene Monday morning inside North Gwinnett Co-op. His time is divided between the stylists he employs and the many young people waiting in line for free haircuts.
To his employees, he delegates duties, shares smiles and provides direction. For those awaiting a new do, he cracks jokes and gives generous high-fives, fist-bumps and pats on the back.
Credit: Kent Johnson
Credit: Kent Johnson
On this day, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Miller’s business, Matthew’s & Co. Salon, of Flowery Branch, has partnered with the North Gwinnett Co-op to offer free back-to-school haircuts for children of families in need.
Miller talks as fast as he moves, and his hands seem to have a mind of their own as he gestures with enthusiasm, explaining why he gets a kick out of all this.
“First impressions are big on the first day back to school,” Miller said. “These kids who may come from impoverished homes or areas can walk into school on the first day standing tall and feeling good about themselves. And, for us, there’s no better feeling than seeing somebody get up out of the chair standing tall or looking prettier and feeling confident.”
Credit: Kent Johnson
Credit: Kent Johnson
Moments after Miller finished speaking, as if putting an exclamation point on his words, a little girl jumped out of her chair and — hair freshly clipped and styled — sprinted past him, doing laps around the room, smiling and laughing.
Miller pointed toward her, laughing himself: “You see!”
Jessica Rhodes, the mother of 3-year-old Caitlin Rhodes (the laughing little girl), said it was the toddler’s first haircut.
“It meant a lot to have somebody to help financially with her first haircut,” said Jessica Rhodes of Sugar Hill. “I’m happy she’ll get to go to school (next week) looking all fresh and clean.”
She said the family, which includes the 3-year-old and her five siblings, is going through some tough times these days.
“I can’t work right now (due to an injury and the time required to care for Caitlin), and my husband just got a new job, so we’re trying to get back on our feet again,” Rhodes said. “But we’re going to pull through.”
Credit: Kent Johnson
Credit: Kent Johnson
North Gwinnett Co-op Executive Director Kim Phillips said many of the families served through the ministry are in similar situations to that of the Rhodeses.
She said the organization serves people at or below the poverty line who live in Buford, Sugar Hill or Suwanee. This includes families “in crisis.”
“My average family is two parents working paycheck to paycheck … who get behind and can’t afford their groceries or bills, so we help supplement that.”
Of the more than 14,000 people served last year by the North Gwinnett Co-op, Phillips said 41 percent were children.
According to its website, the co-op provides food, clothing, financial assistance and spiritual support to these individuals. Originally formed by Sugar Hill United Methodist Church in 1991, the ministry is now supported by additional congregations, area businesses, civic organizations, schools and individual donors.
Phillips said partnering with Matthew’s & Co. for Monday’s free back-to-school haircuts was a good fit for the ministry’s mission. A client of Miller’s, Phillips said the idea started as a conversation two years back when she was at the salon for a haircut.
They’ve since partnered to provide the free cuts for two years running. At the first-ever event, there were 60 free haircuts given. On Monday, more than 100 young people got their hair cut.
“For us here at the co-op, it takes a lot of people to do what we do,” Phillips said. “We’re not just a food bank, and we don’t just pay people’s bills … we have a lot of amazing partners, and (Miller) is a great example of someone who walks the talk. He is all in. The whole salon is here today to pitch in, and we really appreciate that.”
Credit: Kent Johnson
Credit: Kent Johnson
Phillips added that when she initially told co-op clients about the complimentary back-to-school haircuts, they were doubtful.
“I told them: ‘This isn’t the cosmetology school coming to practice; this is a high-end salon,’” Phillips said.
Miller said he and his staff volunteer because he enjoys giving back to the community, and this is the most effective way they can do it.
As he moved about at a rapid pace Monday morning, chatting with staff and giving a few free haircuts himself, he took a moment to elaborate.
“I’m a local boy, and I remember when I was younger, going back to school and seeing the kids in the classroom who couldn’t afford the fresh haircuts,” Miller said. “For us to be able to provide that, it’s an unbelievable feeling. It doesn’t matter who you are; a haircut is good for the soul.”
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