Although some folks give homeless people food and money, living on the streets is brutal. Even the strongest-willed individuals can find their will power tested as the years pass. And that’s exactly how Larry Green felt until someone offered him a chance to turn it all around...
The Start of a Transformation
What you’re about to see is the start of a shocking transformation. In fact, this is a full-on makeover that will truly restore your faith in humanity, like it did for this man. But would it change his life, too? He certainly hoped so.
So Long, Hair!
The salon floor was littered with a bunch of overgrown hair, and if they could have talked, they would have told a sad story of the homeless Dallas man they were once attached to.
Happy Early Father’s Day
60-year-old Larry Green was given one of the best gifts any father could have gotten and it was only a couple of days before Father’s Day. But it was one of the most amazing things that had happened to him.
A Whole New World
Larry was hoping that this transformation would change his life and possibly open up a whole new world of opportunities that had been denied to him because of his situation and his disheveled look.
She Wanted to Help Out
Mrs. Hot Hands wanted to make Larry feel special again. In fact, she knew that he had 4 kids, 11 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. But she wasn't a miracle worker. There was only so much she could do for him.
He Needed a Break
Life had been rough, and he definitely needed to catch a break. Thankfully someone answered his pleas and sent a guardian angel in the form of Mrs. Hot Hands.
A Stylist With a Heart
“We just want to make him feel good and show him just because he is not financially stable right now that he can still get appreciated,” Mrs. Hot Hands told CBSDFW. And he got the message loud and clear.
A Life-changing Makeover
She realized that she couldn’t solve all of Larry’s problems overnight, but she felt that at the very least he deserved to get treated to a makeover and to get off the streets, even if it was only for a weekend.
Still Human
Living on the streets is tough. Aside from the harsh weather conditions, the homeless often have to deal with mean people who forget that they're still human beings. Fortunately, Mrs. Hot Hands was there to remind Larry that he was just as human as she was.
He Was Used to It
As difficult as life had been for him, Larry had been homeless for more than 20 years. So, he had undoubtedly given up hope until his savior/stylist swooped in to save the day like a true superhero.
Self-Esteem Boost
Although the initial makeover started out as a simple haircut, it meant everything to Larry. “I know she’s made me look like somebody. I don’t feel as low. I don’t feel like I’m nobody,” he said.
He Has A Goal Now
Larry had a lot of kids but living on the streets had prevented him from seeing them. But now, thanks to his amazing makeover, he found a renewed sense of hope that he might see them again and reclaim his life.
The Real Larry
Mrs. Hot Hands didn’t just stop with the hair on Larry’s scalp. She also trimmed and shaped his overgrown beard and when he saw himself, he explained, “It’s a blessing. I can see the real me.”
He Got the Full Treatment
OK, back to Larry Green. Once Mrs. Hot Hands was finished cutting his hair and trimming his facial hair, she treated him to some new clothes, which he desperately needed. And judging from his face, he liked the new version of himself.
His Weekend Accommodation
The makeover and fancy duds also came with a stay at a hotel, which allowed Larry to sleep in a comfortable bed for the first time in a while. He also took advantage of a nice hot shower.
Dinner with Friends
Although Larry’s financial situation remains dire, Mrs. Hot Hands' gift allowed him to enjoy a hot meal in a cozy bed instead of asking for money on the lonely streets. Now, everyone's hoping this Father Day's gift opens up a new world for Larry that takes him off the streets.
Organizing His Fundraiser
Two days after giving Larry his gift, Mrs. Hot Hands did something even more special for him on June 15, 2019. She created a GoFundMe account to raise enough money to help this homeless dad in need.
It All Goes to Him
These days, anyone can open up an online fundraising campaign to get donations, but Mrs. Hot Hands had no ulterior motives. “Please know all donations will be received and going directly to Mr. Larry!” she wrote on the funding site.
The Goal So Far
Although a makeover can be a powerful thing, money also speaks volumes, especially when you don't have a roof over your head or a paycheck every month. So, Mrs. Hot Hands set up a fundraising goal of $5,000 for Larry. So far, $1,870 has been raised by 103 donors.
She’s Gotten Tons of Praises
Mrs. Hot Hands has gotten plenty of praise in the comment section of the GoFundMe page. Erica Reed called her and her brother “angels.” While Instagram user @nicolegeauxs thinks she's “an inspiration to all of us.”
She’s a Slayer
Her Instagram page reads, “I slay hair for a living.” And boy, can she work miracles! Then again, she’s not exactly new at this. The stylist has worked in the hair industry for more than 20 years, so she knows her stuff. In fact, she's done a bunch of makeovers that have truly changed her clients' lives.
One Head at a Time
Unlike some salon owners, Mrs. Hot Hands isn’t just in it for the money. She also asks people to donate to those in need, like when she asked for help to give a homeless woman named Mimi a mani, a pedi, and a full makeover.
She Did It Again
With her followers’ help, she was able to give Mimi what she so desperately needed. She thanked everyone who donated and shared photos of the lovely woman's amazing transformation. She's like a totally different person now!
She’s a Miracle Worker
Mrs. Hot Hands is a serial do-gooder. With her impressive knowledge of hair, she managed to give one of her clients, who suffers from Alopecia, one amazing protective style quickweave that restored her confidence and smile.
Keep Up the Good Work
Mrs. Hot Hands is a licensed hair specialist trained in the art of diverse natural hair care and styles as well as hair extensions. And she uses her impressive styling skills to change the world, one makeover at a time. The world could definitely use more people like her!
Meet the Homeless Marine
Before we see Larry's final transformation, let's meet some other homeless men who were given life-changing makeovers. Former Marine Donald Gould was in his 50s and had spent seven years living on the streets. At first glance, all anyone saw was a man with weary eyes and a wild beard. But underneath was a talented, classically trained musician...
The Road to Nowhere
Gould endured a lot of challenges in life, like the death of his beloved wife in 1998. After that, he lost custody of his son because he was deemed an unsuitable parent. Gould fell into despair and turned to controlled substances. Eventually, he wound up living on the street...
The Project That Saved Him
The city of Sarasota, Florida, placed a bunch of pianos throughout the city, which made Gould truly happy. He went looking for the nearest piano, and it quickly drew attention to him. He left a cap on the lid of the piano and passersby started tipping him.
Gould Was a Hit
A stranger recorded Gould playing piano and posted it on YouTube. That got the attention of news stations everywhere. Eventually, it led to job offers at piano bars, and a GoFundMe account to raise money to help Gould out. Then, "Inside Edition" offered Gould a makeover...
Recovering in More Ways Than One
After getting a new wardrobe, Gould went to a barber for a clean shave and a haircut. He won a new lease on life and even got a job playing piano at a local restaurant. He also got the chance to reunite with his son, Donny, who had seen his story on TV. The father and son were back together after 15 years apart. Now Gould's life is better than ever.
Down on His Luck
Bobby from Rome, New York, was a homeless man who was down on his luck when he ran into some helpful police officers. But these cops weren’t there to arrest him. They just wanted to talk, which led to something more.
Cops Pampered Him
Bobby told the cops that he would love to get a haircut and take a warm shower. So the officers granted his wish and then some. They gave him with a shave, a haircut, a shower and a new ensemble assembled from donated clothing.
Looking Brand New
Thanks to the help these incredible officers gave him, Bobby looked brand spanking new. The officers documented everything and posted it on their Facebook page. Bobby walked away with a spiky new 'do, some fresh duds, a bag full of clothes and big smile.
Street Cuts
Mark Bustos is a stylist who works at Three Squares Studio in an upscale area of New York City. Prices for his services start at $150, but his rate can get as pricey as $800. Yet Bustos takes his rechargeable razor, scissors and combs to the street and gives homeless men and women in New York professional haircuts free of charge.
Seeing Red
This homeless war veteran is often found sitting on a wooden stool on Bowery and Rivington Street in Manhattan. His friends call him Red. Even though he’s hard of hearing, Red will talk to anyone who’s willing to listen. Bustos listened to Red and, in the process, gave the gentleman a whole new look.
Taking It All Off
This man told Bustos about how he moved to New York for a job offer that ultimately fell through, which is how he wound up living on the street. The man asked Bustos to just shave his hair off because he wasn’t sure when his next cut would be. Despite the simple request he looks sharp.
Gorgeous Makeover
Bustos went out of his way to make over this homeless man sitting on the corner of Bowery and Rivington Street in Manhattan and reveal how handsome he is. After Bustos was done, people on the streets couldn’t believe they were looking at the same guy.
Silence Can Say a Lot
Bustos finds that most homeless men are talkative, but Jamar was pretty quiet. Bustos found him outside the Bowery Mission in lower Manhattan. After he showed Jamar his new look after a free haircut, the man asked him if he knew anyone who was hiring. Clearly, the makeover gave Jamar's self-esteem a major boost.
For Veterans Day
Jim Wolf struggled with alcoholism and homelessness. But the Degage Ministries found him and turned this homeless U.S. Army veteran into Prince Charming just in time for Veterans Day. The transformation was truly remarkable.
A Brand New Man
A three-minute time-lapse video showed the beautiful transformation process. The video raised money and awareness for people who are struggling on the streets. These are the kind of folks the Degage Ministries likes to help.
He Had a Setback
Wolf’s video went viral quickly. He started attending AA meetings. But in 2013, he was arrested for trespassing and creating a disturbance. Sadly, homelessness and addiction aren’t always solved with a haircut and a viral video. But here's hoping Wolf can get back on his feet again.
London Hairdresser Helps the Homeless
London hairdresser Joshua Coombes enjoys giving homeless people free haircuts all over the globe. He also loves to connect with them, listen to their stories, and turn their frowns into smiles. Now Coombes is encouraging others to “do something for nothing” with the hashtag, #DoSomethingForNothing.
Haircut in an Alley
Coombes met Chris, a homeless army veteran with PTSD. After listening to his story, he gave Chris a haircut in an alleyway. Coombes wrote in an Instagram post, “He was in a bad way when I first met him. A friend of his had passed away just a few weeks before.” Before he left, Coombes asked Chris what his message was and he suggested that people should spread as much love as they can.
Florin From Romania
Coombes met up with Florin, a man who came from Romania to Paris and suffered a stroke. When he awoke in the hospital, he had no passport and no way to go home, so he ended up sleeping in the streets. But Florin’s hopeful he can return someday. Coombes gave him an amazing haircut. The time they spent together really bonded them in a very special way. Florin even asked Coombes to visit him in Romania when he makes it back.
Mathew From Central London
Coombes met Mathew in 2017 in a park in Central London. A year later, he ran into him again and Mathew remembered that Coombes had cut his hair a while back. Coombes might give these folks free haircuts, but his greatest gift is listening to their stories.
R.I.P. Cedric
In 2017, Coombes met Cedric and gave him a refreshing new haircut. Then the wholesome duo hung out and listened to punk music and swapped stories. In 2018, Coombes heard the sad news that Cedric had died. But, needless to say, he’ll remain in Coombes' memory forever.