If not for a retired hairstylist’s literal wrong turn, the makeshift salon inside St. Vincent de Paul’s dining room may never have happened.

But thanks to Cheryl Ames getting lost, not to mention her desire to put some kindness in the world, the Medford nonprofit was bustling with laughter, smiles and the whir of her clippers on Tuesday afternoon.

Community members, many of whom are unhoused or low-income, trickled in from the freezing rain for a warm lunch and other St. Vincent services. A large puddle obscured half of the parking lot along North Pacific Highway during the busy lunch hour, although most of the diners arrived on foot.

Ames smiled as she set out her assortment of scissors, clippers and other grooming supplies. Recently retired after working the cheese counter at a local Fred Meyer, her newfound volunteer work connects her to her earlier line of work as a professional hairstylist. Ames began offering haircuts at both Set Free Ministries and St. Vinny’s during the holiday season.

“I was gonna go to the senior center and offer to help out one day. I took a wrong turn and I got lost,” the 75-year-old said.

“Then I saw some homeless people and I said, ‘Can you tell me where the senior center is at?’ And they said, ‘Well what are you trying to do?’ I told them I wanted to volunteer to help people. … And they asked why I didn’t just go down to Set Free Fellowship?”

Thus began a three day per week commitment of beard trimming, hair-cutting and — what hairstylists do best — sharing chit-chat and laughter.

Ames has since signed on to cut hair every Friday at Set Free Fellowship on West Main Street in Medford, and Tuesdays and Thursdays and St. Vincent de Paul. The organizations provide a host of outreach services, from mail service and showers to food, laundry and camping supplies.

Now, thanks to Ames, they both offer haircuts and shaves.

“Cheryl volunteering has been a gift, not just the cutting of hair but her love for our clients,” said St. Vincent de Paul executive board member John Vinatieri. “She hugs and gives hope for a better future. That is what every volunteer wants to achieve.”

Waiting for her clients to trickle in on Tuesday, Ames admitted she faced a learning curve. Back when she worked as a hairdresser, stylish bobs and crop-style hairdos were all the rage.

“I’m an old-fashioned hairdresser from the days of Vidal Sassoon. We didn’t do no fades!” she said. “I did finally learn to do a pretty good fade, though.”

Truth be told, Ames brings more than bang trims and beard cleanups.

“I’m here to do haircuts … but I talk to people. They just need some love,” she said.

Settling into Ames’ chair for a trim, and some heartfelt conversation, Jessa Crebs smiled at the boisterous stylist before asking for a mohawk.

“I’ve been really wanting a mohawk for a while now, so I’m happy I’m getting it done,” said Crebs, who turned 37 this week.

A lifelong Medford resident, Crebs relaxed as Ames took her time.

As with any haircut, the stylist and her subject chatted about hair and about life.

“I’m in-between waiting lists and just trying to get into a shelter … trying to find a place to stay out of the rain and cold and stuff,” Crebs said.

“I’m just trying to stay focused. I’ve had my own place before and I’ve been to school — to (Rogue Community College) but just got off track. I had a hard recovery and felt really lost, but I’m trying to stay focused now.”

Ames cheered her on as she shaped Crebs’ thick, black hair.

“Not everyone can do this kind of cut, but you have such a pretty face,” Ames told Crebs.

Waiting nearby, Don Wolfington said he was grateful for Ames providing needed haircuts. Ames gave Wolfington, who lives on a property outside Medford but is without electricity and water, a much-needed trim in recent weeks. On Tuesday, Wolfington was in need of some help with his beard.

“I come to St. Vinny’s to eat … and to just feel better. It’s nice to be able to get a haircut, especially a good one like she does. Hers are better than the ones you pay $30 for. She just cut my hair, but I broke my razor so I want to have her clean this up,” he said, stroking his beard.

“She doesn’t try to hurry. She takes her time and does a really good job. It’s nice.”

In from the relentless showers, Larry Sickleton, showed up for a hot lunch and added his name to Ames sign-up sheet in hopes she could help him with some tangles and knots.

“I got a haircut recently but I wanted to see if she could clean this up,” Sickleton said, pulling a beanie back down over his rain-soaked hair.

“I’m really glad she does this, it’s really nice.”

Ames best-kept secret, she noted, is that she’s not sure if her clients are on the receiving end of things, or if she is.

“I’ve made a lot of friends doing this,” she said, smiling as she put the finishing touches on Crebs’ new look.

“I just wanted to do something to help these people. A lot of them live outside and they have nowhere to go and be pampered. They deserve to have some dignity and to feel good about how they look,” Ames said.

Ames held a mirror up in front of Crebs after brushing some stray hairs off her face and neck.

“Oh yeah,” Crebs said, smiling.

Ames flashed a wide grin at Crebs.

“That means everything to me, that she said, ‘Oh yeah,'” Ames said.

“If she likes it, that’s all I care about. If I can make somebody’s day a little brighter — bring a smile to their face — that’s all I need.”