Abraham Alcala can be found at Market Square in Brownsville every Saturday, offering his service to those in need.

The people who are waiting for him, don't have much to give. It’s why Alcala began offering free haircuts last month to individuals who are homeless.

“I used to be homeless,” Alcala said. “I was in addiction, I was 17 and hanging around with the wrong people."

Nearly 20 years later, Alcala is sober after receiving the help he needed.

Going through that challenge inspired him to give back to people in the same situation he once faced.

“We first started going downtown about two years ago, but I wasn’t cutting hair. We were just giving out food, blankets,” Alcala said. “This year I decided to go out there and do something a little more personal.”

Alcala has spent the last two Saturdays cutting hair for free. He said the most meaningful part of the experience is the conversations.

“You got some people out there, like a guy that used to be a doctor, and you would think ‘wow, this guy's a doctor he has all this knowledge,’” Alcala said. “That’s the thing. It’s not just people that are there because of drugs, there’s people that lose everything for whatever circumstance happens in their life."

A Brownsville social media group shared Alcala’s good deeds online. 

“When I first saw that, I almost cried because some of the things people were saying were very moving to me," Alcala said. 

Alcala said the haircuts give people a chance to look and feel good, but it also gives those facing tough times hope and support. 

There are about 733 homeless people in the city of Brownsville, according to a 2025 survey. Those in Brownsville who are experiencing homelessness can contact the following shelters:

Good Neighbor Settlement House
956-542-2368
1254 E. Tyler Ave.

Ozanam Center
956-831-6331
656 N. Minnesota Ave.

Watch the video above for the full story.