I am writing in response to your front page article, "Outrage over plan to close Chelsea homeless shelter," (Volume 3, Number 24, June 4-17, 2009).

The outrage expressed by some seniors at the closing of city shelters and drop-in centers is completely understandable although, I believe, misplaced.  If Peter's Place has been the only drop in center here specifically for seniors, its callousness in shutting down without providing alternate living quarters for its residents, frail as many are, is only a reflection of an endemic callousness there all along.  Seniors should regard their ousting not as a tragedy but as an exodus.

Right now I’m employed by Picture The Homeless (PTH) as the Rental Subsidies Organizer, a campaign to get around changing New York City’s shelter & homeless policies. We focus attention on DHS, HRA, ACS in order to assure that the 34,000+ shelter residents and God only knows the number of street homeless are assisted with real housing – real housing. I came to this job through NYC shelter system. Picture The Homeless didn’t actually get me out of the shelter, they just showed me how to navigate the system.

Marilyn, 22, Puerto Rico Mario, 28, Private sanitation worker. Indoor graffiti artist. Born in El Salvador, lived all over North & South America. What’s your story? About 6 months ago I had everything. I had my apartment, a brand new car, money to spare, a 64 inch TV, I had everything, Last thing I ever thought was being in the situation I am now – no money, no cigarettes, trying to pick up cigarettes from floor every now and then. Before if I saw a homeless person I used to say “get a job, you have hands, you can work!” For me, homeless just described a person who smelled, who’s a dog who’s always begging money, away from civilized people, not worthy, a parasite. Don’t know how else to break it to you.

I was introduced to the New York City shelter system during the fall of 2003, namely Bellevue Men’s Shelter. Anxious but patiently waiting for a bed after reaching the final steps of the intake process, I watched people who came after me getting beds for almost 2 hours. I walked up to the window of the 1st floor staff office a couple of times to make someone aware only to be ignored, scolded and finally called a liar. I then saw a woman whom I handed my paperwork. I let her know of my unhappiness.

Carlos ("Ghost") 26, Shelter resident. Met Linda through an online dating service. Born in Puerto Rico, raised in Camden, NJ. Trying to get into Labor Ready, a temp service, to get into security work. Very introspective, not really a people person. Open-minded and open to different points of view, from young to old. Better with kids than adults, like reading comic books. Father of 5 kids. "What I consider therapy? Going to a park and feeding the pigeons."