Local barber shop, police team up for adults with special needs

A Newmarket barbershop has teamed up with York Regional Police to give back and provide free haircuts to adults with special needs.

Empire Fadez will have about six barbers on staff for the second annual Cuts for Unity event June 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. Members of the police force and Full Access Network Inc. they will participate in a fun day of fresh cuts and smiles.

“If you look good, you feel good,” said Zain Malik, owner of Empire Fadez. “I like that concept where you’re talking to the person, showing that we’re all human. At Empire Fadez, we make sure the vibes and scenarios are right so when people walk in, they have a big smile on their face when they walk out.”

The force contacted the barber shop at 140 Mulock Dr. to offer a community engagement program where officers could interact with residents in a relaxed environment.

“Empire Fadez has generously offered to provide free haircuts and hair washes,” said Const. Kamran Malik. “We’re going to partner with them and empower people to feel better about themselves. It gives them the opportunity to feel pampered and it gives us the opportunity to engage with adults with special needs in the day program.”

Officers will pick up participants by bus, observe clients getting their hair cut and return them to the Full Access Network Centre. The organization offers a day program for people age 21 and older with developmental disabilities in York Region.

“Our youth engagement officers from our community services unit are looking forward to helping out for what is sure to be a day full of smiles,” said Const. James Dickson. “We are happy to partner with Empire Fadez to be a part of such a great cause for the second time. Events like this demonstrate the generosity and excellent work done in our community. Working with a group like the Full Access Network is very rewarding for our officers, who get to share the laughs and smiles as participants get fresh fades.”

The barber shop has been part of the community for over a year. It is open to any opportunity to meet, help and contribute to the community in any way possible.

“It’s more than a haircut,” Malik said. “People come in and you don’t know how their day is going. It can be a good one or a bad one, it doesn’t matter. We take care to take care of them.”