Restoring Dignity.
From haircuts to lasting hope.
Founded in April 2016, CareCuts began as a grassroots effort to serve Knoxville’s unhoused neighbors with love, care, and essential services. The ministry started with a simple yet profound act: free haircuts to help restore confidence and hope among those often overlooked.
From these small beginnings, we quickly grew into a full-service ministry addressing a wide range of needs. Today, the organization provides grooming services, warm meals, clothing, showers, and connections to vital resources like medical services, housing and job support. Each service we offer meets an immediate need while fostering trust, compassion, and life-changing transformation.
CareCuts operates with a Christ-centered mission, serving not just physical needs but also offering love and prayers to uplift spirits. Rooted in faith and love for our neighbors, the organization has become a lifeline for Knoxville’s unhoused community, offering a fresh start and the necessary tools people need to thrive.
– Marti Baker
14K +
Haircuts given
120K +
Meals served
45K +
People Clothed
Compassion In Every Cut
Founded in April 2016, CareCuts’ mission is to restore dignity to the homeless and less fortunate through service, support, and the love of Jesus Christ.
A 100% volunteer-run nonprofit organization located in Knoxville, Tennessee, CareCuts started as a way to provide free haircuts to the homeless and less fortunate each Sunday.
Since our launch, we’ve expanded our Sunday efforts to 4-5 days a week. We’ve grown to provide the homeless with everything they need to get back on their feet, including meals, clothing, identification, basic medical services, housing support, mobile showers, rehabilitation referrals, job assistance, and transportation.
Our Founder
Marti Baker was inspired to start CareCuts through her faith and her work as a hairstylist. She saw firsthand how a simple haircut could restore dignity and hope to those in need. What began as a small act of service has grown into a ministry that addresses both immediate and long-term needs, empowering Knoxville’s unhoused neighbors to take steps toward a brighter future.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).
True faith is lived out through love and action. We believe worship goes beyond words. It is caring for the most vulnerable and standing with those in need. At CareCuts, we seek to reflect God’s heart by serving others selflessly while walking faithfully in His truth.
Come worship with us. All are welcome to gather, grow, and worship at CareCuts. We offer Bible Study at the following days/times.
11:30am +
Fridays
11:30am +
Saturdays
1:00pm +
Sundays
Our services are led by ordained ministers currently serving CareCuts, including David Alvin Shoemaker and Willie Bailey Mitchell, as well as volunteers who are committed to sharing God’s word. All services are held at 519 Williams Street. We are also excited to announce a new partnership with Forged Brotherhood to assist with future worship services. As part of this collaboration, we are honored to welcome ordained minister Jason Coker as our new Director of Ministry Activities.