Anyone from Boston familiar with Albany Street Shelter?

[Lefta Dissenter]

My son (23 y.o.) will be spending his spring break volunteering at the Shelter - a project arranged through UW. OK, so while I'm really glad that he wanted to do this, rather than go with friends to Cancun or some other hot party spot, now I'm starting to worry about his safety and well-being.

When I did a search on the Shelter, just to find out more about it, one of the first hits I got was a summary of police reports for the area! :( Is anyone brave enough to try to convince me that it's really ok for my son to go there for a week?

And, beyond that, feel free to pm me with advice, reassurance and recommendations!

Thanks!

[meegbear]

1. What did you do for a search?

I did "albany street shelter" +boston and my first hit had:

The Albany Street Shelter is a homeless shelter serving those dealing with substance abuse with a 55-bed facility that provides 24-hour services focusing on treatment, overnight respite care, medical care, mental health services, and substance abuse counseling for its residents. The shelter also provides three meals a day, clothing, and laundry facilities to its residents. Students will help prepare and serve food, check-in clients, and work wherever else needed. Participants must enjoy casual conversation with residents and be able to work with a flexible schedule.

[Lefta Dissenter]

3. OK, so what you posted

is the same information that the organizers included in their trip description.

I think my search included the word CASPAR, the name of the parent-program for the shelter, as I understand it.

I KNOW that the shelter does good work! And I understand that it should only cement my son's commitment to his Democratic principles (he's a political science major working for Russ Feingold), but I want him to LIVE THROUGH the experience!

[waylon]

2. Adversity is the seed of character

What do ya think, i just made that up!

Sounds good but probably not all that helpful.