3 minute read
He glows : Juan Williams
from Glo - August 2022
JUAN WILLIAMS
By Julie Young | Photo by Leaha Meinika
Juan Williams says when you look good, you feel good; and by providing barber and beauty services to those who could not otherwise afford them through WeFam, he keeps the community looking and feeling their best.
“WeFam serves at-risk children, veterans, the homeless, and those experiencing times of financial hardship by offering a voucher for free grooming services at salons and barbershops in the Fort Wayne area,” he said. Williams began cutting hair when he was 12 years old, but during his 20s, he made a “terrible mistake” that landed him in prison for 10 years. He continued cutting hair during his incarceration and after paying his debt to society, he went back to school, regained his license, saved his money, and opened Art Cut Techs Barbershop & Supplies in 2014. “Just before school started, several single mothers came in with their sons looking for someone to cut their hair and I happily agreed to do it,” he said. “I did the same thing for my homeboys who were going on job interviews. It didn’t cost me anything but my time.” Williams realized that if he was being approached for a free haircut by those in need, other barbers and beauticians probably had the same experience. That led to the creation of WeFam, a coalition of 25 local partner salons and barbershops that hold seasonal haircutting events and honor WeFam vouchers for free services. Inspired in part by the story of Joseph in the Book of Genesis, who cut his hair and trimmed his beard before being presented to the Egyptian pharaoh, because he knew how important a first impression can make. Thanks to his sponsors, barbers who take part in the voucher program are compensated for their time, and at the present time, Williams is working to assemble a network of barbershops and beauty salons across the country to accept WeFam vouchers with a goal of reaching 1 million cuts soon. “When one of our clients looks in the mirror at the end of a service, there is a mental and spiritual transformation that takes place,” Williams said. “There is also something that opens up inside of these young men and allows us to make an even deeper connection beyond personal appearance.” That led Williams and his colleagues, along with Pastor Winston Pearson, to develop Barbershop Conversations, a program that allows experienced men to have open and honest conversations with young men, ages 12-17. Subjects may include frank discussions about sex, drugs, accountability, education, grooming, and more. Williams said when they first come to a conversation, young men are often looking at the ground, but before long, they are shaking hands, smiling, and taking part in meaningful exchange. “I am so blessed to be able to use my gift in this way, and WeFam touches a special part of my soul,” he said. “When I think back over my past, I am so lucky that I am able to do what I love and I love what I do!” For more information, visit https://wefaminc.org/. a
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