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Haircut photography project aims to change perceptions of DTES residents

Non-profit organization 2 Paycheques Away is launching a book that tells the stories of residents living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) through portrait photography. 2 Paycheques Away was founded by Barber & Co.

Non-profit organization 2 Paycheques Away is launching a book that tells the stories of residents living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES) through portrait photography.

2 Paycheques Away was founded by Barber & Co. barber Alysha Osborne, who became friends with people from the DTES while she was living in Gastown and became increasingly frustrated with how others would treat them.

"I had a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that people would talk to a stranger that way no matter what the circumstances and think it was okay," Osborne says.

She was also inspired by a group called Street Thug Barbers that provides free haircuts to those in need.

The idea to start 2 Paycheques Away really came into focus during a 2017 trip to Las Vegas for a barbering competition while watching images of people's before and after photos on the big screen.

The timing of the trip was close to the seven-year anniversary of her stepmother's death."When I was 14 she told me the story of how she ran away at my age and became an addict and a prostitute in the Downtown Eastside. I could really understand the person that was underneath that nobody else was really caring to see."

The idea behind the non-profit organization's name is that most Vancouverites are just two paycheques away from needing help and possibly finding themselves in a similar situation. "We're not better than each other -- it comes down to luck."

Osborne became the resident barber at Working Gear -- a volunteer organization that provides clothing and other resources to help low-income unemployed men re-enter the workforce.

Her photographer and business partner Mihailo Subotic of Snap Edit Show Photography has documented over 200 haircuts for an upcoming book.

The before and after portraits in the book are accompanied by a brief biography of the person's life to humanize DTES residents and challenges people's perceptions of them.

What really hit home for her was just how much everyone wanted to help and be a part of the project by participating or offering advice."It's pretty amazing when you offer a free haircut and somebody turns around and says 'I don't have anything to give you so can I just give you some life lessons that I've learned?'"

The book launch is happening at The Penthouse Night Club at 1019 Seymour Street on September 23 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and all proceeds will be donated to Working Gear to help purchase work boots for men starting construction jobs and to the Downtown Eastside Women's Centre.

2 Paycheques Away continues to provide free haircuts to those in need with a number of apprentice barbers pitching in to gain experience and make a difference.