The Peace Association of GP will be offering haircuts, sweatshirts, sweatpants and socks to some of Grande Prairie's less fortunate on Sunday. Pictured are members of both the Peace Association and Rotary House staff members (Photo: Facebook / Peace Association of GP)

By Shaun Penner

Bloom with a Groom

Upstart group offering haircuts, clothing to boost confidence of those in need

Feb 3, 2020 | 12:46 PM

A local nonprofit organization is hoping a fresh haircut can help boost the confidence of some of Grande Prairie’s most vulnerable people.

On Sunday, February 9, The Peace Association of Grande Prairie will be holding their first ever “Bloom for a Groom Program: A breath of fresh hair” event at the Rotary House, where they will be offering free haircuts, as well as a new sweatshirt, sweatpants and socks to the City’s street engaged population.

Mohammad Haidar is a board member with the Peace Association and says the group has provided clothing and food donations in the past to those in need, but now they want to take it a step further to really help those struggling to re-enter society.

“We addressed the clothes, we addressed the food, but we didn’t address the person, and now is the time to address the person themselves” said Haidar. “To give them a fresh look, make them feel ‘hey, you’re a part of this community’, and make them feel like they belong.”

He adds that though a haircut may seem like a small gesture, it can have a much deeper impact to someone who may be down on their luck.

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“I just got a haircut yesterday, and I feel like a superhero,” said Haidar. “Imagine if they will get that after how many months or weeks. They’ll definitely get some confidence back in themselves, and that’s what we want to do.”

The PAGP has been operating in the Swan City since March of 2019, and have since raised over $10,000, served food to over 500 people in need, as well as provided donations to over 1,000 people. Haidar says the group is now up to about seven members.

The first ever “Bloom with a Groom” event will go this Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The Peace Association will be getting some assistance from local barber Amir Jaber from Bello Stylez, who will be provided the cuts and styles to those who take part.

Haidar says they are planning on making this program a monthly occurrence, but would like to increase that to a weekly event if the support is there.

He also adds that the group has a lot of other ideas planned to help improve the community, and events like this are just the tip of the iceberg.

“We’re also planning something really, really big that’s going to help the whole city,” said Haidar. “We want to keep it hush-hush until we get it going, but it’s going to move the whole city to get involved in it. It’s a fun thing that the city has never seen before.”

“I think it will be very interesting.”