ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – There were no clippers at Rockford's Community Life Center. Instead, there was the kind of open conversation you'd hear at a barber shop or hair salon.
The City of Rockford's Community Violence Prevention Manager, along with other community groups, hosted their monthly “Shop Talk” Monday night.
Local residents, NAMI Northern Illinois led the conversation and Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling came together to discuss healthy relationships.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois also pitched in, partnering with the Rockford Barbershop Project to provide snacks and resources to promote mental and physical wellness, and at the end of the night, attendees could also take home a free meal from a health-related business.
The Barbershop Project highlights that if barbers and hairdressers are given the right tools and education, they can break the cycle of violence and support the mental health of those working in barbershops.
Even when they're not in the shop, the Barbershop Project brings these topics, like mental health and wellness, to monthly sessions held around town. These conversations give barbers and hairdressers the opportunity to learn how to lead conversations with their customers and provide a forum for local residents to talk about these difficult issues.
Monday's Barbershop Project conversation focused on topics such as sexual assault and sexual harassment.
“These kinds of program discussions relate directly to my office's mission of addressing domestic violence and the intersection of community violence and domestic violence,” said Brandon Tillman, Rockford's community violence prevention manager, “so this conversation that we're having today is very important.”
For more information about Community Violence Prevention in Rockford, click here
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