OAKLAND — Sometimes it takes a village, and sometimes it just takes a few people to start a movement and make a difference.

With the homeless population in Oakland on the rise, a group of barbers, restaurateurs and clothing shops are providing much-needed services for people who lack basic necessities and the money to pay for things many take for granted, such as haircuts.

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Some Bay Area homeless sweeps continue, despite coronavirus moratorium Sarah Nicoletti and her husband Dan Diemidio, who owns Dax Lee’s barbershop in Oakland, formed the East Bay Care Village last December after seeing the very visible encampments grow and multiply.

“Our hope is that anyone experiencing homelessness can come to the care village and feel welcome, to connect with other members of their community and feel like they belong,” said Nicoletti.

The couple came together with a group of barbers and friends to put together an event modeled after a similar one in San Francisco and hosted it at the main branch of the downtown Oakland Public Library. On Tuesday, they set up shop in the parking lot of the Starline Social Club on Martin Luther King Jr. Way and West Grand Avenue. They want homeless people to be able get a haircut, good meal, new clothes and leave with a sense of dignity and purpose.

Jerome Malvin, of Oakland, homeless for years until he recently moved into the San Pablo Hotel, stopped by for a haircut and a meal.

“It helps me keep my self-esteem up and makes me feel like I can be somebody again,” he said. “I love this.”

Several businesses and organizations heard about the program and wanted to get involved, including Out Of The Closet thrift store and Regina’s Door, which donated a large amount of job interview-appropriate clothing to the event. Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Dogwood and The Lodge provided food and drinks.

Dogwood restaurant owner Alexeis Filipello donated food and participated in the care village all three times it was held.

“We figured it’s a nice thing to do and it feels really good,” said Filipello.

In addition to personal care, unsheltered people can obtain legal services and long-term aid through the Homeless Action Center, resources from Oakland Public Library and hygiene kits. Nicoletti anticipates that more organizations will join the effort, and she would like to have the events on a monthly basis.

“We believe the care village is about more than just giving donations to those in need, it’s also a way for members of our community to connect with the people here who are houseless,” she said, “to let them know that we see them, and we care.”