DES MOINES, Iowa — Some Des Moines high schoolers aspiring to be barbers now have a new space to practice their craft.
On Thursday, the East High Barber Club officially opened their brand-new, fully-stocked shop at the Boys & Girls Club of Central Iowa, located across the street from the school.
For senior Deluck Irakoze, his interest in barbering began with his father, who asked him to cut his hair one day.
"The clippers just felt right in my hands... it just felt right," Irakoze told Local 5. "I realized I had a passion for it, and I realized a lot of people at my school, they didn't really have haircuts."
Alongside mentors from nonprofit FOCUSS, Irazoke and many of his peers spent part of summer in an Ankeny hair salon, training with stylists like Tara Paterson on how to cut different kinds of hair. Paterson is a member of the FOCUSS Board of Directors.
"I'm really excited for them to be able to hone their skills and just to be able to have a safe space to call their own," Paterson said. "I know the salon to me is my home away from home, so I wanted it to be the same thing for them."
With the help of school staff, the aspiring barbers will now offer free cuts to younger students every Wednesday in their new space.
Their hope is to relieve stress from families that may be struggling and build confidence among one another.
"I always want people to feel good and look good," Irakoze said. "Life is better that way."
Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen and Polk County Attorney Kimberly Graham joined in on the students' excitement, praising the first-of-its-kind program for DMPS.
"This is a unique opportunity to really get them trained in a skill that will take them further, and show young people other career paths so they maybe hadn't thought about," Boesen told Local 5.
The barbers in training still have plenty of work ahead in order to reach their goals. Social and academic expectations set by the school must be met in order to participate.
With a dedicated space and support from far and wide, FOCUSS board member Michael Moore said that the program is set to change lives, one haircut at a time.
"Opportunities for these kids are endless," Moore added. "We want to definitely make sure we promote that to them with as many options as possible."