A few months ago, my fourteen year old son, who had volunteered at the homeless shelter for years, was told by the staff not to return until he is eighteen. I thought it was just because of a new policy.
Yesterday my son was really down in the dumps about it. He said he doesn't think it was because of his age. He suspects it was because of a question he asked the staff. I never knew about this until yesterday. A few months ago, right before the staff told him he had to be eighteen to volunteer, he asked one of the staff why the homeless aren't allowed to sleep at the shelter during the day if they work graveyard shift. He was told they can only go in during the day for meals and chapel, but not to sleep. My son explained that not everybody has a day job. The staff member told him that is just the shelter's policy. He politely explained why he didn't think it was right. The woman walked off while he was talking.
His question makes sense. He said he was very nice when he tried to explain how this policy isn't fair. The next Saturday he was told not to return until age 18.
I told my son that may not be the reason. Maybe it was, but I don't want him growing up thinking everybody is out to get him. Instead, I just told him that maybe the shelter is concerned about safety, lawsuits, etc. What does everyone think?
Yesterday my son was really down in the dumps about it. He said he doesn't think it was because of his age. He suspects it was because of a question he asked the staff. I never knew about this until yesterday. A few months ago, right before the staff told him he had to be eighteen to volunteer, he asked one of the staff why the homeless aren't allowed to sleep at the shelter during the day if they work graveyard shift. He was told they can only go in during the day for meals and chapel, but not to sleep. My son explained that not everybody has a day job. The staff member told him that is just the shelter's policy. He politely explained why he didn't think it was right. The woman walked off while he was talking.
His question makes sense. He said he was very nice when he tried to explain how this policy isn't fair. The next Saturday he was told not to return until age 18.
I told my son that may not be the reason. Maybe it was, but I don't want him growing up thinking everybody is out to get him. Instead, I just told him that maybe the shelter is concerned about safety, lawsuits, etc. What does everyone think?