Bay Area barber shops hold toy drive for children of incarcerated parents
Several Bay Area barber shops are hosting a toy drive on Sunday for children who have incarcerated parents.
By Bay City News
Several Bay Area barber shops are hosting a toy drive on Sunday for children who have incarcerated parents.
The toy drive, supported by the Bay Area Student Barber Expo, will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday in partner barber shops across the Bay Area.
Among the businesses participating in the toy drive is A1 Barbershop in Pittsburg, which is owned by 24-year-old Naz Hernandez.
The activity hits close to home for Hernandez, who also takes care of his nephew while the child’s father is in jail awaiting trial.
“I am grateful to my mother who was justice-involved and a teenage parent. She grew up to work for the community and with those who also fall into the justice system,” Hernandez said in a statement. “She has taught me gratitude and to give back to others.”
The collected toys will be donated to Oakland-based non-profit Community Works West, which provides arts, education and restorative justice programs for individuals and families affected by incarceration.
It is estimated that in California alone, nearly 200,000 children are affected by having a parent behind bars.