That's what I too am told, Melissa. This is the only shelter I've been involved with but there's a lot of hope in the place as well as frustration and anger.

It isn't perfect, by any means- there are several common themes among the people I have interviewed. Among them: they need Job Service to come there once or twice a week with a list of job openings, as well as a list of people there who are willing and able to work; they desperately need transitional housing; and little thing - one woman told me that in another shelter she's been in your bed number denotes what chore you will be responsible for- things like taking all the bath towels to the laundry or mopping the main room floor or emptying the waste baskets or whatever. Here, the trustee(?) has to call out the chores he needs filled.

When I start compiling the responses all of this and more will be written down for print.

I don't use a cell phone, although the reception is good. It has shocked me how many of the homeless people have cell phones.

Interesting idea to let the homeless set me on the path- not a bad idea at all. But if I do that, they will be justified in thinking that I cheated a bit, and so what was the purpose?