The first Monday of every month, a small canopy appears outside the Galesburg Public Library.
Underneath it, surrounded by clippers, scissors, shampoo supplies, and grooming tools, cosmetologist Kari Rupert welcomes anyone coming in.
Rupert has become a familiar face in the community by providing free haircuts to people who are homeless.
Along with haircuts, she offers beard trims, hair washing, and other grooming services.
She also provides essential items such as water bottles, snacks, and cooling mats for people who need them.
“I set up my whole canopy with my shampoo bowl, my clippers, and everything like that,” Rupert said. “I normally cut hair for probably 15 to 20 people every time.”
Her efforts extend beyond the library. Rupert also brings her services to the local warming center and the Galesburg Rescue Mission, where she uses her skills to support others. For other locations, she often comes when people reach out to her for help.
Providing free haircuts had been her dream for a while. She wanted to use her skills to give back to others since she first began studying cosmetology.
That opportunity arrived when she passed by the Galesburg Public Library and saw unhoused people gathering there.
With her cosmetology bag in hand, Rupert decided it was time to act.
“I took a picture of me, took a picture of my bag, and I posted on Phil Garza (a popular local Facebook page). It just blew up. I ended up cutting hair for like 15 people that day. They just kept coming up and I just kept cutting their hair,” Rupert said.
Her story quickly spread throughout Galesburg after being shared on Facebook. Soon, the community began reaching out to support her mission.
Rupert created a wish list of supplies she needed, and people responded.
“They got me every single thing that I will need for a long time,” Rupert said. “It’s crazy. I didn’t expect it to blow up like that.”
The journey has not always been easy. Rupert faced criticism, as well as legal hardships after getting reported by someone who claimed she did not have the proper cosmetology license, a claim she said was false.
Despite the challenges, she continued her work.
Helping means a lot to her. She understands what it feels like to experience difficult moments and knows how much small acts of kindness can matter.
“I was on drugs, living in a house with no power, no water, no nothing. And just having a simple haircut or a meal really makes you feel a lot better about yourself. It just shows somebody cares about you,” Rupert said.
Her commitment goes beyond monthly haircuts.
Every morning at 7:30, Rupert provides food and supplies for unhoused people, including water bottles, electrolyte packets, and snacks such as Pop-Tarts or cereal bars. In the evenings, she brings sandwiches or similar meals.
Rupert hopes her efforts can help others feel better.
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