February 2, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

A cut above: St. Joseph resident and hair stylist Milt offering free haircuts for students

Nicole Milt wants to help kids feel good about themselves.

So Milt has volunteered to do free haircuts for students in St. Joseph. She was inspired to offer the free service by a Facebook post.

“I thought to myself I would love to get involved in something like that,” she said.

A friend asked Milt if she could tag her in the post and Milt took that as a sign that she should be doing it.

“God is good,” she said. “So I decided to make a post and see how many I could help.”

Milt said those interested in a free haircut for their child should message her on Facebook. She will perform the haircuts in St. Joseph so families won’t have to travel far.

“I’m trying to juggle times and fit everyone in,” she said. “I want it to be people truly in need.”

Milt said she loves helping people.

“This service doesn’t cost me anything but my time and makes me feel so good to know that I have helped a kids’ self-esteem,” she said. “I am very big on allowing them to be able to pick their cut, but also be respectful and compromise if their parents don’t agree 100 percent. I know that some kids have to do without or get a short buzz cut because they don’t have the means to get a real cut by a professional. Their self-esteem can be so strongly affected by that and sets them up for a tough first day.”

Milt said she loved school as a child and had perfect attendance.

“You get to see your friends all the time, play sports and just be a kid,” she said.

Milt said she was motivated to participate in the free haircuts because she loves the community.

Milt said she and her husband Zach moved to St. Joseph because they wanted a community that they could let their son go play for hours without worry, but also be surrounded by kids with values and accountability.

“I grew up in a small town and you can not find better values,” she said. “The kids in our community are all wonderful.”

Milt has been a hair stylist for 11 years. She worked in a salon for three years before managing a salon for eight years. Recently, she became a small business owner and works out of a private studio in Champaign inside Sola Salons.

“I love it because I can focus completely on the guest in my chair and take the time to make them feel special and relaxed,” she said. “It’s my oasis.”

Milt said she never tires of her job and creating a special look for her clients.

“I love making people feel good,” she said. “I’m also very knowledgeable about what I do, so I love teaching and letting people know how to make their hair even better.”

in People
Banner
Related Posts

5 things you don’t know about me… Henry Rubach

August 8, 2019

August 8, 2019

Henry is in the running for the title of Little Prince! He is six years old. We asked him to...

10 Things You Don’t Know About Me… Laura Mabry

February 27, 2019

February 27, 2019

Each week we ask an area resident to tell us 10 things about themselves. This week we asked Laura Mabry...

Get to know Steve Peters

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Steve is running for the St. Joseph Village Board. What is the best thing about St. Joseph? I have been...

Hometown appeal: The Wheelhouse earns Business of the Year honors

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

When the Wheelhouse opened in 2017, it was unlike anything in St. Joseph. And still is. The farm-to-table restaurant owned...

Kids say…

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask students at local schools three questions related to farming. This week we spoke to students at...

Franzen finds freedom in music

October 4, 2019

October 4, 2019

Dakota Franzen is an inspiration. Marching Band Director Chuck Hess said Franzen’s efforts to be the best he can be...

10 things you don’t know about me… Toni Barnes

December 12, 2019

December 12, 2019

We recently asked St. Joseph-Ogden Assistant Volleyball coach Toni Barnes to reflect on the season and tell us 10 things...

10 tips to get your home ready to sell

August 5, 2019

August 5, 2019

Clear out your personal belongings and declutter. It’s a good idea to eliminate clutter and depersonalize the home. You’ll want...

Senior Spotlight… Hannah Rajlich

June 18, 2019

June 18, 2019

Every week we ask an SJO senior five questions. This week we talked to Hannah Rajlich. This post is sponsored...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me… Sharon Jeffers

March 20, 2019

March 20, 2019

I have two grown and married children, Logan/Tressica and Lauren/Kris, and two beautiful grandchildren Weston, and Emma I grew up...

10 things you don’t know about me… Allison Wakefield

August 18, 2022

August 18, 2022

What is your favorite place to travel to? Pennsylvania What is a TV show/movie you can watch over and over?...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jim Cotter

August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020

My favorite childhood memory is going to Kings Island with my family every summer on vacation My first pet was...

Learning lessons: Hilton gives back through teaching and village trustee role

May 10, 2019

May 10, 2019

Timbra Hilton moved back to Royal in 2016. She and her husband, Paul, both grew up the small town and...

Ask the doctor: Which internet resources can I trust for medical information?

March 3, 2021

March 3, 2021

By Jeanelle Murphy, DO In this age of technology it is important to know what websites will give you accurate...

Dukeman shines in classroom and in athletics

March 7, 2019

March 7, 2019

School comes easy for St. Joseph-Ogden High School junior Hannah Dukeman. Dukeman, who plays softball for SJO in addition to...

Comments
Leave a Reply