As a barbershop owner, Barton knows that good barbers are hard to find, so he started a barber in training program at the Community Center. He is donating his time to the program and has so far started training about 10 students – teaching them the art of barbering as well as life skills that are necessary to become a successful barber.
He created a detailed curriculum geared towards the development of the student barber: classes on finance; client relations; code of conduct; attire; work ethic; and sanitary issues. There are no other barber-training programs in Westchester. During the training sessions, free haircuts are offered to area residents on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the center, 32 Manhattan Ave.
“Anyone who is capable of holding a pair of clippers can be taught how to cut hair," said Barton. With so many people being out of work, becoming a professional barber offers an opportunity for the unemployed to become employed, he said.
“Many barbershops in Westchester have empty chairs and stressed owners because of lack of good barbers,” he said.
For information or to schedule a free haircut, call Donel Dinkins at 914-310-8051.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Greenburgh and receive free news updates.