Kentuk said:
Don't know if you should admit to being a novelist. In their shoes I wouldn't want to interview with a fiction writer. It's called fiction for a reason.
As one who is involved, I disagree. It is critical for them to communicate the true mission of the organization and leave speculation out of the minds of people with imaginations.
The public perception of homeless shelters, for example, is not very flattering. Once you talk with a true representative of the program, you won't be able to help yourself but turn your opinion around.
All you read about in the media is about lazy panhandling bums reaching out for a freebie. That is about 5% of the truth. Although they are not turned away either, many human beings find themselves in physical, mental and financial need. Most of them give back later.
I wrote in another post where I stood behind a hopeless case 21 years ago. He was literally peeled off the street and ICU brought him back to life. Overdose. A drug dealer. Hopeless alcoholic. Runaway. Violent street urchin.
I gave him a job and told the judge I would sponsor him. People thought I was a fool with this one.
Today he is a very wealthy, very involved community leader. It was not me who turned him around, it was he that did it. It was his time.
That’s what these agencies do, they give opportunity. And they want that word to get out. They would love to lead any writer or novelist on the proper path of information. If they don’t, the wrong message gets out.
I was a runaway, though I did not reach out to any programs, I understand what their clients are going through.
