Shelter Manager Embraces Those Suffering from Addiction and Homelessness

AUDIO – HE REALLY CARES ABOUT OTHERS –

Aug. 28, 2023 – Now, he’s starting a support group dubbed Real Talk with Al Green to support and give hope to people with the same struggles.

“I love these people. I love to help them,” Green said. “I have some hard times here sometimes, you know, different personalities. But … I went through a dark place to where now, today, I know how to deal with that type of stuff.”

People who come to the shelter to wash their laundry or find solace in the emergency shelter beds remind him of his own life and experiences, Green, 67, said.

He hosts sessions at 5 p.m. every other Friday at the shelter. Green tries to pick a theme to discuss for the first 30 minutes.

The last session focused on the idea of people hiding behind a mask or being themselves, Green said.

In the second half of the meeting, people talk about whatever else is weighing on them.

“We try to teach them about the legwork and the things that they got to do and the trust that they need to have, you know, not to give up,” Green said.

Born and raised in Frederick, Green said he is the eldest boy of seven children.