The 13-year-old boy has already coped with more than his fair share of challenges — including two months last fall when he was homeless. The last thing he needs to worry about is his hair.

On Sunday, one of the nearly two dozen barbers, weavers and braiders participating in Healing City Baltimore gave the teen a complimentary cut, shaving the sides of his head close to his scalp and styling the hair above his ears into neat architectural angles and swoops.

He emerged looking sleek, cool and utterly in control, his outward appearance echoing a newfound inner strength.