For a volunteer hairstylist in Burlington, Ontario, an ordinary haircut can be an act of welcome.
Making room for dignity
Arezoo Hejazi offers free haircuts through the Friday Community Food Program at Wellington Square Church. Her clients include people experiencing homelessness, older residents living on low incomes, and others struggling financially. The sessions provide a practical service, but they also offer something less tangible: time, conversation and the feeling of being treated with respect.
Hejazi’s commitment to free haircuts did not begin in Canada. According to BurlingtonToday’s November 12, 2026 profile, she previously organized regular community haircut days with her staff in her country of origin. After moving to Canada four years ago, she continued volunteering, even while working six days a week.
A surprise thank-you
Community member Angela Barraclough nominated Hejazi for a BurlingtonToday Random Act of Kindness recognition. She was surprised at the church with gifts and flowers, an acknowledgement of the steady, often quiet care she offers others.
Hejazi, the report says, responded by pointing to the many people who also give their time to the community. Her reaction underscored that kindness is rarely a solo effort: it is supported by volunteers, organizers, donors and the people who make welcoming spaces possible.
The difference an everyday skill can make
Not every act of service requires money or a major organization. A hairdresser can share a skill. A neighbor can make an introduction. A local group can provide a safe place for people to feel seen. Hejazi’s story is a reminder that meaningful support often begins with something ordinary, offered consistently and without judgment.
Source: BurlingtonToday, November 12, 2026. NewsPositive has not independently interviewed Hejazi; the details above are attributed to the original reporting.
Featured image is illustrative stock photography and does not depict Arezoo Hejazi.
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