Mr. Mood calls his last name, “a calling,” as when stepping inside his barbershop, “Mood’s Mobile Grooming,” a gold tiled, impeccably decorated van, it is impossible to be in a bad mood. Every other Wednesday, Mr. Mood drives his van to the Howard Levine Shelter, razor and good vibes in tow.
When describing his van, Mr. Mood says, “It’s my living room,” gesturing to the homey décor and flat screen tv. While getting their haircut, some shelter guests chat and bond with Mr. Mood, exclaiming, “you’re like my cousin,” while others use their haircut as a rare moment of quiet. All are introduced to Mr. Mood’s impeccable music and fi 
lm taste: a respite from the noise and commotion of the shelter.
The reason the men at Howard Levine relish in Mr. Mood’s visits is not just because they need a haircut. It is because of the very quality and nature of Mr. Moods’ work. These haircuts are good, seasoned with style and clean lines. Mr. Mood does not opt for the simple to rush people out the door to get home, or to cut as many men’s hair as possible. He gives all his clients devoted time, sometimes spending over an hour with a man in a chair, shaving them with a hot towel, and listening all their hopes and worries.
Mr. Mood traces the origin of his volunteer work to his time in the marines. “It’s fellowship, it’s all fellowship,” he says, comb in hand, “that’s one of the reasons I do it here. In the marines, we taught that we are not barbarians, everyone has humanity.” Mr. Mood continues, “when you get a haircut, you feel more like yourself.”
Mr. Mood relishes helping folks feel more like themselves. He sees the confidence it gives them when going into important events, like job interviews. He loves when guys report back after their fresh cut interviews, that they got the job. Mr. Mood says the haircuts are good luck, that they “brightens morale.”
Mr. Mood’s sustenance for his volunteer effort is community. When he was having trouble getting to the shelter because of van troubles, shelter guests offered to help, and traded car tips. But Mr. Mood gives a lot back. On giving, he shares, “the most valuable thing to give is time. It’s my resource, one haircut, one conversation at a time.” His unconventional giving is rare and precious. Thank you, Mr. Mood, for sharing your time.
