The West Bloomington Revitalization Project (WBRP) has teamed up with Cassius Crittendon and the Bloomington-Normal Barber College (BNBC) to relaunch a program to offer young readers the chance to read a book to a barber – and get a free haircut. The original Barbers with Books initiative began in 2019 as an outreach program of WBRP, which sponsors the popular Book Bike at the Downtown Farmers’ Market and several West Bloomington locations.

 

Former District 87 School Board member Mary Yount brought the concept to Karen Schmidt, the coordinator for the WBRP Book Bike, in 2019. Several barbershops and salons eagerly participated in the program after it was introduced. The COVID-19 pandemic caused major disruptions for the businesses and for the reading program.

 

Research consistently shows that children still need extra opportunities to practice reading. Sitting in the barber’s chair continues to be a great time for that, and WBRP is now relaunching the program in partnership with the BNBC at 1116 E. Lafayette St. in Bloomington.

 

Illinois Wesleyan University students Bryce Hess and Tre'von Moore developed and delivered program logistics as part of their Action Research Center class in the Spring 2024 semester. With their input, the relaunch will allow the program to start back up in a more targeted way while still honoring the mission and values of the concept.

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Cassius Crittendon formerly owned Cassius Fade'Em barbershop and is now owner and educator at BNBC. He currently offers low-cost/no-cost haircuts as part of the training program for his students at the barber college Thursday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 309-828-1234 or visit www.bnbarbercollege.com.

 

Crittendon and his students also work with Eastview Community Center, 602 S. Main St. in Bloomington, to provide free haircuts once a month for low-income and under-represented youth. For details on the special Eastview Community Center offer, call 309-451-5029 or visit the website schedule.

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A collection of books for readers aged 14 and under will be provided during specified times at both locations. Young readers will receive free haircuts, courtesy of the WBRP program, and they can also take the book home and return it at the next visit.