Moncrief barbershop gifts Christmas cheer to local kids

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As COVID-19 cases surged during the beginning of the pandemic in March, many businesses were forced to shut down — including barbershop Cutz, Lines, and Trimz in Moncrief.

Despite the financial hardship on their business, the owners are still giving back.

Renita Turner and her husband opened the business five years ago. “It’s about the interaction,” Turner said. “I’m a people person. I’m a Cancer. I’m a talker.”

Each cut tells a story, and Renita says her customers share them all, good and bad.

“The area that we’re in, it’s hit by poverty, violence. These kids in this area go through so many things,” she said.

That’s why during the holidays, Renita isn’t just cutting hair, she’s gifting Christmas to kids who might not otherwise have a holiday in Moncrief. Every year, the Turners host a Christmas party with gifts for up to 100 kids. It’s a tradition she wouldn’t let COVID-19 stop. As a mom of six, Renita understands firsthand how difficult the holidays can be.

“Kids don’t understand that times are hard. They’re not supposed to.” And she learned from the best, her mother, Angela Daniels.

“She always gave. As children, she was constantly giving away things. She was constantly giving back. She’s the reason we started this nonprofit.”

The non-profit is called Jewels of the Future. Renita started it with her daughter, Diamond, a few years ago. Angela gave Diamond her name, which is where “Jewels of the Future” came from.

Angela died in 2006 after a four-year battle with breast cancer. Her legacy of giving lives on in the nonprofit.

During the holiday season, they give the spirit of Christmas to kids. However, during the rest of the year, the organization is focused on giving girls a safe space to speak out.

“You never know who that might impact, who that will inspire — to come out and say things that bother them,” Diamond said.

Because of the pandemic, the Turners hosted a drive-thru Christmas party this year on Sunday. You can find more information about the organization on Facebook (Jewels Of The Future INC. | Facebook).

Cox Media Group