Date：Nov 25th
Location：240 Albany Street (Caspar Emergency Care Center)
Time: 4:30 PM
Weather: Cloudy, 37F
After wrapping up my work for the day, I walked to the shelter, which took approximately 20 minutes. To my surprise, I found myself standing in front of what appeared to be an MIT facility, with occasional students passing by.
Confused, I recalled the information I had gathered about the shelter. It was meant to accommodate individuals struggling with drug and alcohol addiction. As I approached the facility, I was immediately met with the overpowering scent of alcohol from a person slouched against the wall, clearly intoxicated.
Upon reaching the front door, I was drawn to a notice affixed to the glass, prompting me to pause and take a photo for future reference.
Peering through the glass, I found the shelter in the middle of serving meals. Individuals sat around tables, chatting amongst themselves, while others helped themselves to beverages from the vending machine.
As an elderly man entered the shelter, the staff started a routine security check at the desk as outlined in the attached picture. Guests were required to place all their belongings on the desk, remove their jackets, and undergo scanning with a metal detector.
I decided to walk in, so I knocked on the door and initiated a brief conversation with the staff.
Me: Are you a volunteer herer?
Staff: No, I am a paid staff member.
Me: There is someone who appears to be intoxicated and is on the sidewalk outside. Even though it’s not extremely cold today, the temperature is still quite low. Can he come in?
Staff: Certainly, he can. I’m aware he’s outside, and I’ve already tried calling him, but he hasn’t responded.
As we talked, a middle-aged man wearing glasses approached the door and politely asked if there was any mail for him. Introducing himself as Matthew, he mentioned that he had stayed at the shelter for several weeks, providing an ID card with the shelter’s address.
After searching for a while, the staff told Matthew that there was no mail for him. Matthew graciously thanked them and left. I got very interested in talking with Matthew, sensing he might have interesting insights to share. After bidding farewell to the staff, I caught up with Matthew.
Matthew was forthcoming and shared that he had successfully secured a bed at the Salvation Army, located approximately 10 minutes away from Caspar Emergency Care Center..
I walked with Matthew from Caspar Emergency Care to the Salvation Army on 550 Massachusetts Ave. During our walk, he explained the difference between wet shelters and dry shelters.
Wet shelters welcome anyone seeking shelter, regardless of their substance use habits. This means individuals with drug, alcohol, or tobacco dependencies are accommodated. Consequently, wet shelters can be somewhat dangerous.
Dry shelters, on the other hand, have stricter rules and will remove anyone whose behavior is unacceptable.
Matthew agreed to chat more on the 27th afternoon, following his visit to the doctor. He gave me his cell phone number and scheduled our meeting for 3 PM. He mentioned that his cell phone service is provided by the state government, offering free text, talk, and data.
Additionally, he told me to avoid walking through Green Street, particularly at night, due to the presence of drug dealers near the library corner.
