Lexington’s Project Ricochet: Bridging Beauty and Health for the Community
Lexington, KY — A new initiative is taking place right in the heart of Lexington, aimed at combining the worlds of beauty and health into one harmonious experience. This initiative, known as Project Ricochet, is working to make health services more accessible to the community through an innovative program that taps into the local barbershops and beauty salons.
Enhancing Community Health Awareness
At the center of this initiative is the Barbershop and Beauty Salon Public Health Initiative, a cutting-edge program designed to raise awareness of health services among local residents. According to Tony Burdette, the master barber of the initiative, “We decided to create those two things together, showing them resources and avenues to take and numbers to call to better their health and to provide that for themselves and their family.” This initiative certainly serves as a wonderful means of outreach in a community where health resources may not always be readily available.
A Grand Opening with Purpose
On September 21, Project Ricochet celebrated a significant milestone with the grand opening of its Health Promotion and Education Center located inside Cultural Cuts Barbershop. Quinton Marks, a member of Project Ricochet, emphasized the importance of their location, stating, “This is an underserved community. Not a lot of health clinics in this area, so this is a great corridor.” The center is located along Georgetown Street, an area rich in African American history and connected to Newtown Pike. This makes it a prime location for reaching out to those in need.
Free Health Services at Your Barber’s
The newly launched health center is not just for show; it is committed to providing essential services. Local residents can look forward to free health screenings, vaccinations, and a host of other health checks with the utmost convenience. Damon Franklin, a barber at Cultural Cuts, pointed out the significance of this service: “Being able to come here and get screened for whatever, get your blood pressure checked, if you need to be vaccinated, get vaccinated, it’s a great thing, especially in this day and time and in this community.” Damon emphasizes that not everyone has easy access to health care, which is why this initiative is so important.
Open Doors for the Community
Residents can take advantage of the health clinic’s resources every Monday from noon to 3 p.m. “We want everyone to know we are here for them,” said one of the program’s coordinators. The health center is supported by various partners like Anthem Medicaid, Bluegrass Community Health, and the Fayette County Health Department, ensuring a broad array of services tailored to the community’s needs.
A Bright Future Ahead
The collaboration between health services and local barbershops is a shining example of how innovative partnerships can make real differences in people’s lives. By bringing health services to a familiar and friendly environment, Project Ricochet is making a lasting impact on the residents of Lexington. Community members are encouraged to check in regularly and take advantage of the services offered as they make strides towards a healthier community.
This project showcases the power of community engagement and innovation in addressing local health disparities, proving that sometimes it takes a village, or perhaps a barbershop, to pave the way for better health outcomes.
