About 27 hairdressers from six local salons came together in a community workshop called “Chairs of Change” on Monday to learn what they could do to change their community.

The workshop, organized by the Matrix company as part of their “Spread the Love” campaign, was held at the Reflections salon on Green Street. Participating salons included Physiques, Immix in Conyers, Profiles in Conyers, Bella in Covington, and Passagio in Rutledge.

Gerri Dean, owner of Reflections, which was written up in Vogue magazine about six years ago, said “It was to give the hairdressers an idea of some things to do… How we as hairdressers have that bond and can connect and change people’s lives.” Designers from Matrix showed hair styling ideas and tricks of the trade.

Participants also swapped ideas and discussed ways they help the community. Dean described one person who mentors women and children at the Project ReNeWal domestic violence shelter and the idea of giving battered women a day of pampering. Another idea discussed was doing a cut-a-thon where proceeds from one day would be donated to a struggling family with a chronically or terminally ill child. Area salons have also raised funds for the Kim Atkins Foundation to fight breast cancer.

Dean said the salons often help people in small, quiet ways. “We have clients that have patronized us over the years but are going through struggles, or both spouses have lost their jobs,” she said. Knowing that their clients need to look sharp for job interviews, hair dressers have donated the cost of their services, she said.

The workshop was unique, said Dean, because “You pick an industry that generally is competitive and bring them along for a common good.”