>>> PUBLIC LIBRARIES CAN BE A SAFE HAVEN FOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH HOMELESSNESS.

THAT WAS THE CASE FOR SAMUEL BROWN, WHO CREDITS LIBRARIES AND THE RESOURCES FOUND WITHIN FOR TURNING HIS LIFE AROUND.

FROM LIVING ON THE STREETS TO BECOMING A LICENSED BARBER, REPORTER JOANNA HERNANDEZ TELLS US MORE ABOUT HIS MISSION TO PAY IT FORWARD.

>> Reporter: HE IS KNOWN AS SAM THE BARBER.

TRAVELING AROUND CHICAGO, GIVING FREE HAIRCUTS, AND MAKING FRIENDS ALONG THE WAY.

>> I WENT ACROSS THE ROAD.

>> Reporter: A YEAR AGO, SAM STARTED HIS NONPROFIT CALLED HAIRCUTS FOR HUMANE, AN ORGANIZATION HE NOW RUNS FULL TIME.

>> WHEN I CUT HAIR, I AM IN THE CHAIR.

>> Reporter: LIFE HASN'T ALWAYS BEEN EASY FOR SAM.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR UPBRINGING?

>> HARSH.

I GREW UP IN A SINGLE HOME.

MY MOTHER WAS ADDICTED TO COCAINE.

SHE WAS AN ALCOHOLIC.

>> Reporter: RECENTLY PARTNERED WITH THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR FREE POP-UPS ACROSS THE CITY.

SAM SAYS LOCAL LIBRARY BRANCHES WERE A SAFE HAVEN FOR HIM WHEN HE WAS HOMELESS.

>> I WOULD STAY IN THE LIBRARY -- >> IT IS SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, BEING ABLE TO GIVE BACK IN THE PLACE THAT DID SO MUCH FOR YOU, THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

>> YEAH.

>> Reporter: SAM SAYS HIS REASON FOR HER BEHIND HELPING OTHERS IS BECAUSE OF HIS MOTHER, WHO IS IN HOSPICE.

>> SHE IS FIGHTING FOR IT RIGHT NOW.

SHE IS DOING WHAT SHE IS DOING.

>> Reporter: A FRESH CUT, AND HUMAN INTERACTION.

>> I WILL LISTEN TO THEM SOMETIMES.

THEY WANT TO EXPRESS WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH.

>> Reporter: WITH AN INFECTIOUS SMILE, SAM SAYS HE WANTS TO PAY IT FORWARD, THE WAY PEOPLE HELPED HIM ALONG HIS JOURNEY.