NISC Programs of Excellence 

• Year Awarded: 2025
• Programs of Excellence Name: Bowden Center Barber Shop
• Hosting Organization: Fulton County Government Department of Senior Services, HJC Bowden Senior Multipupose Center, East Point, Georgia
• Fulton County Population: 1 million
• 60+ Population: 200,000
• Senior Center Members: 625

About Bowden Center Barber Shop

Offering everything but a haircut, the Barber Shop is a program developed by the HJC Bowden Senior Multipurpose Center in East Point, Georgia. The program was created especially for men and provides a space for men to converse and fellowship around topics that affect them. The program creates a safe space where attendees are allowed to be vulnerable enough to share their concerns related to aging.

The program's name is a play on words and familiarity to pique the interest of older men. Typically, men discuss all topics while getting their haircut. There is a level of comfort, ease and trust experienced in one's grooming locale. So while the program does not include haircuts, it offers  everything else that comes along with frequenting a barber shop.

The Barber Shop program benefitted men ages 55 and older and addressed an array of issues. Topics included men's health, relationships, family, sports, and community. Attendees were also encouraged to share topics that are of most interest to them. Partnerships engaged by the program were the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health and local general practitioners. The senior center has noticed a significant increase in the number of men who participate in various events and programs. 

"Previously, we would maybe have three to four males at any given event," said Ladisa Onyilogwu, Director of Fulton County Senior Services. "Now, we see 10 to 25 men and they are more apt to participate in various seminars, educational presentations, and programs."

Key takeaway from  Bowden Center Barber Shop:

"The impact of this created space has been invaluable," Onyilogwu said. "To see men from a generation who believed that men are not supposed to share their feeling or need mental health services are for “the crazies” engage and actively participate in sharing their life experiences beyond “old war stories” is amazing."

"They are able to talk about the loneliness they experience due to the passing of a spouse, or the distance of children and the inability to connect with their grandchildren/ great grandchildren," she said. "They share about the reality of death and dying and seeing friends and loved ones passing away."

They have shed tears and the phenomenal thing was to listen to the other men encourage each other and be present for each other. They were able to take away coping strategies, recourses for mental health services, and newfound friendship."

About the Fulton County Department of Senior Services 

The Fulton County Department of Senior Services operates two types of senior centers throughout the county. Neighborhood Centers support the County’s Congregate Meal Program by providing seniors with nutritious meals in a group setting.  In addition, the centers offer life enrichment classes, health education, fitness and activities that promote a safe, active, healthy, meaningful and productive life for senior participants. The county's four multipurpose facilities allow seniors ages 55 and older to participate in life enrichment classes, nutrition, education, fitness, leisure and other activities. The facilities have cafeterias, gyms, therapeutic pools, computer training centers and art classrooms. There is no cost for Fulton County residents, but non-residents pay a $100 annual fee. All senior multipurpose facilities rely heavily on volunteer support.