Behind the Scenes With Nashville Street Barbers

Every Monday evening from 5:30-8:00, a group of local barbers gathers at the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville to provide free haircuts to those in need. It all began when Caroline Lindner, a licensed cosmetologist, started teaming up with a couple of non-profits to give free haircuts.

One of those partnerships was with Nashville non-profit ShowerUp, which provides showers and hygiene resources for the homeless. Caroline offered her services as an extension of ShowerUp's mission, and the idea to reach a larger amount of people was born.

Caroline has since joined forces with fellow barbers Abishai Collingsworth and Ryan Timmons, co-founding Nashville Street Barbers. The three stylists are joined each week by a rotating group of volunteers, as well as the ShowerUp team.

In addition to haircuts, Nashville Street Barbers provides the homeless community with a sense of hope, friendship and dignity. The weekly event has become so popular that the sign-up list for haircuts is sometimes too long to accommodate. Depending on how many volunteers and members of the community show up, the team can give anywhere from 15-80 haircuts in one evening. There have been some nights where as many as 300+ people show up to take showers, get haircuts, get fed, and get clothes and supplies.

Below, Caroline and Abishai talk more about Nashville Street Barbers and the way it has had a positive impact on their lives and the lives of those they serve.

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