Texas Barber Gives Haircuts to Homeless to 'Do Some Good'
Rudy Ibanez, 21, gave a free haircut after a homeless man asked for money.
-- Rudy Ibanez gave his first free haircut after a homeless man asked him for money on the street.
"I got off of work and saw this homeless man with long hair and beard," said Ibanez, who approached him to offer a haircut. "The first thing he said, 'Hey bro do you have any money.' [I said] I do have my clippers and I can give you a hair cut."
While the man was initially reluctant, Ibanez said he won him over and eventually gave him a haircut and shave. He told Ibanez he hadn't had a haircut in five years.
"The first thing he said was 'Wow,'... like three times. He was trying to open up his mouth and nothing was coming out," remembered Ibanez.
Ibanez then bought the man some food and clothing before separating, but said he knew instantly he wanted to help others.
"It really changes my whole state of mind," said Ibanez. "I was trying to do some good in life."
Every Sunday, Ibanez meets with homeless people who are looking to have a haircut. He said he goes to the same area every week and now has his own following.
"They just ask me how my day is going," Ibanez said of those he meets. "I asked them how is your day, how is life treating you bro?"
Ibanez said he generally works until his wireless clippers give out.
"I just go as long as the battery lasts," he said. "Sometimes there could be six or seven homeless people at the most."
Ibanez said he started cutting hair at age 12 because he felt like it was an extension of his drawing. He said loves spending time outside of his barber shop and meeting people who are thankful for some conversation and a haircut.
"It's been life-chanigng for me and I’ve been doing that ever since" the first free haircut, he said. "I’m blessed I love it."