Public online criticism of those who work to help others creates a world where good people begin to wonder if they’re alone, writes Ashley Legere. Photo by FILEArticle contentEvery day our staff walk into work knowing someone will probably tell them they’re doing it wrong.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentNot because they stole something.Article contentArticle contentNot because they hurt someone.Article contentNot because they failed to care.Article contentBecause they fed someone. Because they handed someone a blanket. Because they gave someone naloxone. Because they believed another human being deserved one more chance to see tomorrow.Article contentArticle contentThat’s become controversial.Article contentIf you’ve never worked in homelessness, it’s hard to explain what that feels like.Article contentImagine spending 12 hours trying to stop someone from dying. Imagine helping someone get their ID back after years without one. Imagine celebrating because someone finally slept indoors. Imagine talking someone through detox. Imagine convincing someone that they are still worthy of love after years of hearing they weren’t.Article contentThen you go home, open Facebook and discover hundreds of people who have never met you explaining why you’re the problem.Article contentPeople who have never worked one shift. Never cleaned blood off a bathroom floor. Never sat beside someone while they cried because they lost custody of their children.Article contentNever had to tell a mother her son overdosed.Article contentYet somehow they know exactly how your job should be done. That part doesn’t hurt because people disagree. Disagreement is healthy.Article contentWhat hurts is watching strangers become experts on people they’ve never met while the people who know the work best stay silent.Article contentArticle contentOur staff are not paid the big bucks; hell, they aren’t even paid the medium bucks. Most of them make about $22 an hour.Article contentThat’s $22 an hour to miss holidays, to work nights, to be screamed at by people in crisis and criticized by people who have never stepped through our doors all because they believe another person’s life is worth showing up for.Article contentPeople often ask how burnout happens. It isn’t usually the work. The work is hard, but it is also beautiful. The burnout comes from feeling like you’re standing in the middle of a storm while the people who care quietly watch from inside.Article contentHere’s what I know.Article contentFor every angry comment online, there are 10 people who tell us privately they support the work. They send kind emails. They stop us in the grocery store. They whisper, “Don’t listen to them.” They thank our staff. They tell us they couldn’t do what we do. Those moments matter more than you’ll ever know.Article contentBut here’s the thing. The criticism is public and the support is private. One is visible and the other disappears. That creates a world where good people begin to wonder if they’re alone. They’re not alone. We know they’re not.
Opinion: Speak up to help those who help others
