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This is Chris. He was 21 years old when I met him and his birthday was the following day. He has no family which he can contact or be with - he has basically been entirely alone for the past 11 years. He has been on the streets and homeless since he was 10. Yeah, I know, insane but a sad reality. I asked him how that's possible and his reason gave me chills. "I hated having to constantly wear extra layers and warm clothing at school when it was hot" he said quietly. I asked him what he meant by that and he said that it was to cover up the bruises from getting hit by his dads. "Dads?!" I said, and he replied "Ya, both by my real dad and also my step-dad". He elaborated and told me that he was mostly with his mom and step-dad - who was very abusive and beat him. Then his mom sent him to live with his 'real dad' and the abuse kept coming. There was no escape and he had more than he could take, so he took sanctuary to the streets. At the age of 11 he found himself smoking ice and eventually got into heroin too. When I met him he was very timid and shy and so the few people I was with had left, allowing for a more intimate session which allowed him to open up and be more comfortable. However, I think it's best that I keep what he said between us for some things are just better to stay at the shop - which are the streets to me. He had been wearing a beanie for ages which made his hair on the WHOLE back of his head into one deadlock. I had to cut away using scissors slowly and carefully. I couldn't give him any style due to the fact that his hair was so dead. We shaved his head, then his face. It was difficult to shave his neck (under his chin) due to the open sores he had from the meth use but he insisted he wanted to clean up - so I did the best I could. We finished off with a thorough dry shampoo and aftershave treatment. He looked at the mirror and was the happiest I had seen him since I had met him - which warmed my heart. He never got the chance to properly experience a childhood, let alone his youth. Hopefully in his 22nd year and beyond he'll be able to start experiencing more positivity, love and happiness in his life. Happy birthday Chris

Een foto die is geplaatst door Nasir Sobhani (@thestreetsbarber) op 27 Mei 2015 om 3:11 PDT

This is Andrew, who celebrated his 36th birthday the day before I met him. He was sitting on the street with his partner, Carla, and they were both chatting to Charlie - a former street client. As usual, whenever I see a former street client I like to follow up and check in with them, asking them how they are doing. When I went up to Charlie to show her some love, she introduced me to Andrew and Carla and told them how I give free haircuts to the homeless on my day off. When Andrew heard that, his eyes lit up and he looked to Clara and said "can you believe that?" You see, Clara had promised Andrew a haircut as a birthday present but neither of them could afford a proper one so he was forced to delay his much desired haircut. I was more than happy to give him one so we got started! I asked what had led him to the streets and he told me that he had been an alcoholic for most of his life. The disease was rampant within his family and he grew up with alcohol always around at home. His mother passed away from alcoholism, which only added to his suffering. He was manipulated into trying heroin by one of his mother's friends - after being promised that he wont get addicted and it will help mask any pain and grief. Instantly he said he got hooked and as a result of being a slave to the drug it ruined his life and left him homeless for several years. In fact he told me him and Carla had recently shot up and used up any money they had in order to get that day's fix. This meant no food, no gifts, no haircut. Some birthday, huh? Andrew told me he had enough of this lifestyle and wanted his life back. I shared my story and how I just hit my 3 year sobriety mark last month. He asked how I stopped and I explained to him that rehab played a vital role in my recovery. I said how cutting hair - finding a passion, and serving others - has become my new drug. The feeling I got after his cut, when I saw his joy and beaming face, was better than any high I felt' #cleancutcleanstart #thestreetsbarber #thestreetsbarberprojectEen foto die is geplaatst door Nasir Sobhani (@thestreetsbarber) op 4 Mei 2015 om 11:15 PDT

This is Mark. He's 28 years old. He hasn't had contact with his family for nearly a decade. I've known of Mark for a while now and would show him love everytime I bumped into him, and he would reciprocate with so much joy. You could tell he just wanted someone to talk to. Today when I saw him on the street, I asked if he'd be interested in a cut. His eyes lit up as he said "Ya man, I haven't had a chance to get groomed in 8 or 9 months." He told me he'd been homeless for 3 years. He said it wasn't drugs which led him to the streets - that although he uses both heroin and meth occasionally, he does so more for social reasons, so he can 'fit in' and feel like he has friends. He got kicked out of his accommodation 3 years ago and hasn't been able to land a proper job or home since. He suffers from mental illness too - "I'm really depressed and hear voices in my head, Nas" - he told me, and that's another reason why he's on the streets. He has no support system and doesn't really have friends. He is lonely and just wants people to show him love and accept him. He said he often thinks about reconnecting with his family, especially during Christmas and New Years when he's alone. Listening to his story I just felt sick to my stomach at how neglected he felt. He has no support system, no friends and no family to support him. He actually didn't even have proper clothes on! His jeans were ripped and falling off his waist. He had no underwear on, and his shirt was also ripped and dirty. I had to go the full 9 yards on the brother! I went and bought him a new outfit and really took my time grooming him - with a cut, beard trim, dry shampoo, aftershave, and style. Looking at him afterwards I was quite taken aback myself and told him "Mark, you look so good bro" and he responded with "I know, and I feel GREAT!". That response made me so happy and I just took his hand and said "I hope you realize you've made a friend for life now.. see you around soon." I love this guy - his sincerity and open heart. Thanks for opening my eyes, Mark. Bless. #cleancutcleanstart #thestreetsbarber #thestreetsbarberproject

Een foto die is geplaatst door Nasir Sobhani (@thestreetsbarber) op 20 Apr 2015 om 3:27 PDT

This is Dre. A 27 year old father of three. Dre is a Maori from New Zealand and left New Zealand 2 years ago with his mom - mostly due to gang violence and affiliation. He had a major problem with drinking back in New Zealand and because of that it led to the divorce between him and his ex wife (who is now in custody of his three children). He told me he misses his children so much and doesn't go a day without thinking of them - with such sadness it broke my heart to hear. I asked him what led him to the streets, and Dre told me it was because his mother (whom he lived with here in Melbourne) had died from heart complications. He also got into Crystal meth while living here and the combination of both things led him to be a resident of the streets. When I met him and offered my services he asked me to give him the "south Auckland cut" - which is a pushed back hairline and sharp line up. I also gave him a undercut, shaved his face and a thinned out goatee - as per request. I insisted that I do something for the longer hair on his head by combing out his knots (almost dreadlocked hair) cut his split ends (practicly his whole head) and gave him a dry shampoo treatment. I tried my best to revive his almost dead hair. I finished off by wiping his face abd neck down with baby powder and a sweet smelling aftershave lotion. After our experience together, he saw a photo and was like "Nas bro, I dont feel homeless anymore, can we take a photo and send it to my kids?" #cleancutcleanstart #thestreetsbarberEen foto die is geplaatst door Nasir Sobhani (@thestreetsbarber) op 5 Apr 2015 om 7:31 PDT