The Men’s Shelter would like to recognize the selfless contributions of a special person, Sylvester H. Sylvester came to the Men’s Shelter several years ago seeking shelter and help with his addiction. He has said before that he was not someone you’d want to be around in those days. The good news is he didn’t like who he had become and was determined to get help and get back to being who he wanted to be.
After accepting treatment, utilizing the shelter, and dealing with health and other barriers, he had put his life back together and it was time to move. Being disabled, he couldn’t go back to work and was concerned about isolating himself in his apartment. But, more importantly, he felt a desire to give back, to quietly stand as an example to others in the shelter of what you can accomplish when you put your mind to it. So, he began volunteering at the shelter. Not a little, not a few days a month, not when it was convenient for him. He went all in. Today, he works as many hours in our kitchen as anyone – staff or volunteer. Sylvester comes in before daybreak or stays long after dark. He cooks, he cleans, he monitors the work of others. He welcomes volunteer groups and speaks to VIPs – he’s had his picture taken with the mayor, a senator, and Michael Jordan. He truly is a role model for others – homeless or not. We call him “chef” and a hero for the homeless. 
