We are honored to name Care Cuts as the Rylee + Cru Foundation Grant Recipient for the month of January. Care Cuts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to transforming the traditional haircut experience for individuals with sensory sensitivities, including those with autism and developmental needs. By providing sensory‑friendly, compassionate haircare and supportive resources, Care Cuts creates a safe and welcoming environment where clients feel understood and comfortable during a typically stressful experience. Operating with a focus on patience, inclusion, and individualized care, the organization strives to build confidence, reduce anxiety, and foster positive moments for families and individuals who benefit most from its services.
Read our Q&A with founder, Missi Kennedy, to learn more about Care Cuts and their mission and impact.
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Q&A
Q. What inspired the creation of Care Cuts, and what need were you hoping to address when it first started.
A. The mission of Care Cuts is deeply personal. For our founder, a career hairstylist and mother to a child with special needs, the drive to ease the fears associated with a simple hair trim is an extension of her own life’s work.
Early in her career, she discovered the unique challenges faced by clients with severe sensory sensitivities. She learned that for many, the sensation of a haircut can feel as intense as getting a tattoo. This reality hit home when her own son began to struggle with the same sensory demands. Amidst the journey of teaching him to walk, talk, and eat, she realized she had to transform grooming from a traumatic event into a non-threatening routine.
Today, her son knows he is safe, he is loved, and the process is brief (even if it still requires a few Skittles). Care Cuts was built to share this peace of mind with other families and support all through the process.
Q. How does a typical Care Cuts haircut service work from start to finish?
A. At Care Cuts, a haircut is not just a service; it is a carefully choreographed sequence of sensory transitions designed to build trust and maintain comfort. Before our friends even enter our doors, the Care Cuts team has already reviewed their likes, dislikes, sensory triggers, and preferred items via an online submission or through talks with caregivers and individuals.
This is where our commitment to empathy and compassion shines. The stylist spends the first few minutes just playing with and/or getting to know each new friend. Care Cuts methods are all playbased and look very different from a typical salon experience. Spending time playing will allow us to see what type of desensitization is needed, if any. Is the client sensitive to touch? The feel of water? Since we do not ask our friends to sit in chairs or wear capes, the haircut might happen on a beanbag, the floor, or while the child is engaged in play with our amazing stylists and assistants. We dance, we sing, we literally will do most anything that helps our friends not to feel the anxiety that a typical haircut can bring. Our older sensory haircuts provide comfort, privacy, and the utmost respect for the individual's requests and sensitive environmental needs. Care Cuts clubhouses provide private spaces and rooms where each individual can feel loved without judgement.
We establish a communication method (verbal or non-verbal) so the friend knows they can ask for a "break" at any time. Using visuals and different methods to convey needs is a must. It is very important that our friends learn that they have a voice during this time. We have communication boards on our walls that display pictures of emotions and needs that individuals can use to communicate. We introduce the tools slowly and work on gradual desensitization techniques. Often this looks like play to an observer and we will spend up to 30 minutes getting to know each other. We encourage use of all our senses to get used to this new setting, often letting the client feel the vibration of the clippers on their hand and we eliminate strong smells that are often found in typical salon settings.
The haircut proceeds in short, manageable intervals. We work quickly but calmly and offer distractions to work through hard moments. Whether it’s a favorite video, a fidget spinner, or a toy, we integrate our friends' comfort items directly into the haircut. We celebrate the "small wins," like sitting still for a minute or allowing play without any touch to the head or body.
For many neurodivergent individuals, the "itchy" feeling of cut hair is the most distressing part. We have space for individuals to wash their necks or change their clothing quickly after a haircut. Every appointment ends with positive reinforcement. A sensory-friendly treat from the treasure box is a highlight that all friends look forward to! We always give big praise to our friends for the incredible work that they did at The Clubhouse. It might be verbal accolades, tickles, high fives, or just beautiful bear hugs but we always celebrate at the end! We talk with the caregivers about what worked and what didn't, documenting these preferences for the next visit to ensure a sense of safety over time regardless of who they see next.
Q. Can you share a moment or story that really captures the impact Care Cuts has had on someone's life?
A. The following letter was submitted anonymously by a regular client of Care Cuts:
To whom it may concern,
Haircuts were a struggle in the past and led to feelings of hopelessness and loneliness. Until we found Care Cuts, from the moment we walked through the doors we were met with unconditional love and understanding. I found someone who’s walked this path ahead of me that offered nothing but compassion. I found a community in them, I found a friend.
I had a hard day that resulted in many meltdowns and feeling alone. I’ve been on this autism journey for over three years and still do not know who I can lean on in heavy moments. Of all the people I could have called, I called my son's hairstylist, in the midst of my own panic attack. Not my close friend (who does not know this journey), not family, but a person who I have been able to connect with who also knows this journey. I called her to simply speak the words outloud, that I was alone and this is harder than I ever thought. She stopped her day without hesitation, she provided empathy and understanding, she helped me in a moment of need.
Care Cuts is more than a haircut, it is a space that provides community in ways I have never seen. It is a space of encouragement that calls me back every 2 months, to show up, to hear good news and see the amazing strides my kid is making, to see my amazing kid.. It is a place of joy in times when I struggle to find it. By giving Care Cuts the means to build community and spaces for us all, it not only benefits those that require additional care, but the caregivers that need it too.
Thank you,
A grateful Care Cuts Friend
Q. What challenges has the organization faced, and how have you worked through them?
A. One of the most significant challenges Care Cuts faces is the sheer scale of the need we serve. According to recent CDC statistics, approximately 1 in 36 children is identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This rising prevalence reflects a growing population of individuals and families who require sensory-inclusive environments to access basic services that many take for granted.
As these statistics rise, so does the demand for our approach. The primary challenge is not just the volume of individuals, but the diversity of sensory needs. No two neurodivergent individuals are the same; what is soothing for one may be overwhelming for another. Creating spaces that are truly inclusive rather than just "quiet or sensory safe", requires constant adaptation, specialized equipment, and physical space that many traditional salons simply cannot accommodate.
Beyond the logistics of space and statistics, another hurdle has been finding the right people to facilitate our growth. In a high-volume service world, "efficiency" is often prioritized over "connection." However, Care Cuts prioritizes empathy and compassion as non-negotiable traits in every volunteer and staff member. Finding individuals who possess the technical patience to navigate sensory triggers while maintaining a deep, genuine emotional investment in the client's comfort is essential.
We also provide physical resources on sensory friendly techniques and videos made available under Care Cuts. We partner with local organizations to further contribute to the special needs communities and lift up our own community through providing haircuts at no cost to any individual in need, no questions asked. We host annual events such as our annual Caring Santa at Care Cuts that is free to all and offers sensory friendly pictures with Santa, back to school haircut events, and many other events throughout the year through local partnerships.
By staying rooted in our core values of compassion, Care Cuts continues to bridge the gap between growing statistics and the availability of inclusive care.
Q. How can individuals support or get involved with Care Cuts?
A. Your involvement ensures that we can continue providing sensory-safe grooming experiences and building a more inclusive community. Here is how you can make a difference:
1. Financial Contributions
Direct donations are the backbone of our operations. Financial support goes toward:
- Specialized Equipment: Purchasing special clippers, and specific sensory toys or equipment.
- Operating Costs: Ensuring our events remain free or low-cost for families in need.
- Sustainability: Helping us expand our reach to more cities and community centers.
2. Toy & Resource Donations
- We gladly accept gently used toy donations at all times and we guarantee they'll be loved greatly in their new home!
- Stickers and small prizes.
- Visit our website and social media to view the Care Cuts Amazon wish list if you would like to donate items that are new and always in need.
3. Assistant Volunteer Opportunities
You don’t need to be a stylist to help during an active haircut. Assistants play a crucial role in:
- Sensory Support: Managing distractions like bubbles, tablets, or toys while the stylist works.
- Environment Management: Keeping the area clean of "itchy" hair clippings to maintain the client's comfort.
- Client Greeting: Helping families navigate the intake process and feel at home the moment they walk in.
4. Professional Stylists
If you are a licensed professional, you can volunteer your time to provide haircuts. We provide the training on sensory-safe techniques; you provide the skill and heart.
Following us on social media and sharing our stories is a great way to get involved too! These shares help us to build community and share resources to spaces that are in need.
Q. What's next for Care Cuts, and how do you hope the organization will grow in the future?
A. Care Cuts is actively working towards our next goal of growing into more than just a sensory salon. We have plans to grow into a comprehensive inclusive safe space for children, adults, & care givers. Offering grooming services while also focusing on care for the entire family.
Since before Care Cuts became a reality, I have always envisioned a space that provides a necessary reprieve, a welcoming environment available to all who need a moment of peace and a sense of belonging. As we strengthen our community connections, every donation and volunteer hour is poured directly into realizing this sanctuary goal.
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We are honored to support organizations that are making positive impacts in the lives of children (and families) across the nation who are sadly battling serious illnesses. Submit an application to recommend a 501(c)(3) non-profit making a difference in your community and each month we’ll select one to receive a $10,000 grant in your name.
Thank you for joining us in this meaningful work.