Brotherly Love: Chester Barbers Give Back

CHESTER, Pa. (CBS) -- Some men think they've found a way to reach kids who might otherwise be lost.

In the city of Chester, some think they've found an answer to raising kids right. It starts in a barber shop, where boys see men like Twayne Bush as role models and friends to talk to for advice.

"There's a lot of kids, a lot of single mothers that doesn't have a male in their lives," said Bush. "I just try to give them the best advice possible."

"Everybody sits in a barber's chair to get their hair cut," remarked Kenny Colbert, president and founder of Brothers of Concern, a Chester community group. So, Colbert had an idea: Offer free haircuts to make kids not only look good, but be good.

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At an event next week, barbers like Twayne and Smooth Johnson will offer not only free haircuts but life lessons.

"Are they doing good in school, make sure the grades is right, and stay outta trouble," said Johnson.

"The most valuable resource to the community are the guys who, you know, guys who used to get into trouble, were locked up, and now they want to change their lives and come back," said Colbert.

Jonathan Abdul Raheem King says it happened to him. "I feel like I beat the odds," King said, "because it's hard in these neighborhoods to make it and to be straight and to be honest and do the right thing. It's hard."

Eight-year-old Keyshawn Henson looks up to Twayne "as a role model," and Keyshawn knows someone cares about what's going on in his head.

The free haircuts in Chester are Wednesday, March 16, at Supreme Hairstyles Unisex in the Upland Shopping Center, 865 Upland Avenue, from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. for boys ages 7-17. If you have questions, call Supreme Hairstyles at (610) 447-8804.

Reported by Dave Huddleston, CBS 3