Jul. 27—As a small enterprise proprietor and native minister, Steph Boling prides herself on making constructive contributions to the group. With the brand new college 12 months beginning quickly, Boling discovered the proper approach to assist Tuesday when she teamed with Redemption Place and different barbers to supply free haircuts, backpacks, college provides and lunch for kids in Owensboro-area group properties.
Based on Boling, the proprietor of GG’s, a recently-opened salon at 5010 Wildcat Means Suite 2, her inspiration was easy.
“We determined to do one thing completely different,” she mentioned. “We usually do a number of back-to-school bashes a 12 months. This 12 months, particularly with how COVID has modified every little thing, you may’t go lower (hair) in every single place and do belongings you used to. Doing this, we had been capable of convey youngsters in right here and be capable to discuss to youngsters which can be going again to highschool.
“It is actually massive for me to provide again to the group as a result of with out the group’s assist, we’d be nothing. So many individuals say you need to make a distinction in the neighborhood, you need to do that, you need to try this — typically it is simply little issues.”
As a barber, Boling added, she’s considerably of a pure listener and was more than pleased to lend an ear or some phrases of encouragement.
“Generally youngsters simply have to be informed that, ‘Hey, you matter, and you are going to rock this 12 months out at school. And for those who want any person to speak to, I am right here,’ ” she mentioned. “Some youngsters simply need to discuss and need to be heard. Barbers, that is the most effective factor.”
For the leaders of Redemption Place, which had its first official church service three weeks in the past, stepping in to assist was an apparent alternative.
“Our coronary heart is to only serve the group and serve the kiddos in the neighborhood,” mentioned Jonnia Martin, whose husband, Nick, is pastor of Redemption Place. “It is very fulfilling.
“Immediately, we needed to be part of it. We needed to have the ability to convey backpacks, college provides, meals — no matter we might do to only assist the necessity.”
Bowling pointed to the volunteers, together with barbers who labored free of charge, as only a small instance of what may be achieved by teaming up.
“Folks can solely accomplish that a lot, but when I do one little factor like a haircut, then any person else does one little factor and another person does one little factor, now we’re making a significant affect,” she mentioned. “It is actually the small belongings you’re capable of do once you unite different people who make a distinction.”
It isn’t the primary time Boling has supplied comparable companies, nevertheless it was the primary public occasion she’s completed. Sometimes a non-public individual, Boling needed to share what she was doing in an effort to encourage others in Owensboro.
“We might be nothing with out group assist, and our youth are our future,” she mentioned. “These are the people who about to exit into the world, sit on our metropolis council and be our leaders. This might be our future main proper right here in my chair. You have to give again. Simply because our youth can’ t vote and may’t drive but does not imply that they don’t seem to be necessary.
“It is all about giving again. It is all about making a distinction. Anytime we’re ever capable of accomplice up with any person to make a distinction and to do one thing constructive, we’re all about it.”