Barber gives free haircuts at downtown Hamilton park to those in need. He's paid 'in conversations'

Nolen Greenspan rubs his hand along his five o'clock shadow as he waits his turn in the barber chair.

"This is not me," he says of the stubble. "I don't like it at all." 

He's among half a dozen men lined up for Collin Alfred's free services in Hamilton's bustling, downtown Gore Park — an unlikely place for a beard shave or hair trim, but a "great opportunity" all the same, Greenspan says. 

"I do need it for my confidence," says the 46-year-old Hamilton resident who is on a fixed income.

Alfred, 28, has been offering up his barber skills to people in need for over a year, as part of his community outreach organization, Beating the Stereotypes.

He estimates he's cut the hair of more than 50 people in the park on Saturdays. The outdoor setting hasn't stopped him from forming "intimate bonds" with clients, who open up about their lives, struggles and faith.

"It's like a barber shop — we sit around and have conversations about everything," Alfred said. "It's really nice to have someone who went through something really hard to trust a guy with clippers and blades.

"How I get paid is in conversations."

Chris Dorman is a regular client experiencing homelessness. He nicknamed the set up — a chair, barber cape and small table with Alfred's barber tools — as the "chop shop," which has stuck. 

He's come back because it's free and Alfred has "never messed it up," he said.

"I classify him as family," Dorman said.

Rob Ritchie wasn't far behind to have his head shaved. He said he receives social assistance and can't afford a decent haircut so he goes to Alfred instead. 

Justin Wilde, who was due to get his beard lined up, does the same. 

"I feel good, fresh," Wilde said.