Jacob Lucas, a freelance haircutter, who is in recovery, is a man on a mission.

He “likes to make people feel good about themselves,” so he gives free haircuts to homeless people, an idea that occurred to him after he graduated from treatment in 2017.

That day he needed and wanted a haircut, and was broke, so he knows how disheartening that experience can feel. “(Haircuts are) the only thing I’m really capable of giving, and I enjoy doing it. I like seeing that transformation first hand.”

“The only reason I help people is because I have two hands. I’m not perfect, and I have made some mistakes,” he wrote. “but I’m not about to start ignoring that I can be part of a solution, rather than a part of the problem … (One) of the places I frequent is a place called Helping Hands … They help people transition back into a healthy life from the streets.”

Oregon is fortunate enough to have several Helping Hands Re-Entry Outreach Centers, including one in Astoria. Homeless new arrivals stay at an emergency shelter for 30 days to stabilize, and those who are a “good fit” have the opportunity to enroll in the re-rntry program, with the goals of becoming employed and self-sufficient.

It was Jeff Platt of GoFundMe who alerted the Ear about the hairdresser’s fundraiser, “Support Jacob’s Journey: Haircuts for Hope” (bit.ly/Haircuts4Hope), to expand his reach to help homeless people feel better about themselves.

“My goal is to get enough money to get a mobile hair truck, and be more available to the people on the streets!” Jacob wrote. “I know how much it takes to get the truck and a driver’s license to be where I plan. I currently have to take a bus to get to Astoria. The bus has only a short time frame to get to the town I live in, which is Hammond.”

Presently, he’s giving haircuts mainly on the North Coast. With the truck, he can travel up and down the coast. “God bless, he added, “and here’s to hope … “ (Photo: Jacob Lucas)