Makeovers at Ozanam Manor

“How old do I look now?” James Mann asked. They had just rubbed the dark liquid and were almost done drying it.

“Really young. Only 60.” Maria Castro responds.

James is an 85-year-old resident at Ozanam Manor, St. Vincent de Paul’s transitional shelter for 55+, veterans, and individuals with disabilities. After [reason for experiencing homelessness], he found his way to Ozanam Manor, and is actively working with his case manager to secure income and find a permanent home. 

He also likes to look good.

That’s why, every week, he buys some hair dye on one of Ozanam Manor’s store outings and brings it back so Maria, Ozanam Manor’s wellness coordinator, can help him keep his locks his preferred color: Dark brown. 

When asked why he dyes his hair, he had a simple answer: "I don't like gray hairs."

Maria loves helping the residents with projects like this. Her whole job as wellness coordinator is to plan and coordinate activities that promote social engagement, emotional well-being. She said how important it was to not just keep residents busy, but give them ways to feel important and boost their confidence in a moment that could be one of the lowest in their lives.

“We all need a haircut,” Maria said. “The residents are living in a shelter, but they’re trying to resume their normal lives. And part of that is feeling good and looking fresh. It brings up their spirits.”

Maria also noted that when residents feel good about how they look, it boosts their confidence, which helps them work harder on their rehousing journey.

“It helps them say, ‘I went through something, but I’m back, and I’m important,’” she said.