Texas Hill Country News

Austin Barber Sets Up Downtown to Offer Free Haircuts to the Homeless

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Tony Maples Photography

 

On the last Sunday of each month from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Roger Lopez sets up shop downtown to lend a helping hand to Austin’s homeless population. As a barber, Lopez knows the importance of a clean shave and a trim, so he offers haircuts free of charge under the underpass at 7th Street and I-35 downtown.

Lopez told KVUE, “I have experienced moments of being without, being left out — not being able to provide for myself or my family…I’m a lucky person to be able to do this.” He hopes that the fresh look men get from his services will help them to have the confidence to take a step forward in life, and perhaps even walk into a job interview.

Fox 7 Austin reports that at the same time Lopez sets up his free outdoor barber shop, many members of the homeless community are already meeting under the 7th Street underpass for church services lead by Pastor Dwayne K. Jones with the Paraclete Ministries.

“I think he’s an angel sent for some of these men, we’ve seen some of these before and after with some of these men, some of them have probably not felt this good in months, maybe even years,” the Pastor said about Lopez’s services.