The Cleveland Police Foundation’s Community Partners of the Month for October 2023 have a true passion for uplifting the youth in the community. Marcus Gonzalez of Ole G’s Barbershop and Eliezer Cruz and employee Alexander Perrella of Life Changers Barbershop have partnered with the First District’s Barbers with a Mission since 2019. This event takes place at Laura’s Home Crisis Center.
Marcus, individually, has provided haircuts for up to 30 young men to begin their new school year, and in 2021 the First District’s Cops and Clippers was created with Marcus’s collaboration.
Cops and Clippers is a community engagement program designed to bridge the gap between police and youth within the community. While conducting community engagement or while patrolling, officers can provide them with a ticket for a haircut at either barbershop. These haircuts are paid for by First District officers who have donated to the cause. The recipient takes the ticket to either shop where a haircut is provided at half cost or free.
Both barbers share the idea that a haircut goes a long way to boost a person’s self-image and self esteem. It is because of their support of the youth in the community that the Cleveland Police Foundation is honored to name Marcus Gonzalez and Eliezer Cruz our Community Partners of the Month for October 2023.
~ Bob Guttu, Cleveland Police Foundation
Nominated by First District Detective Juan Dejesus