While many employees of shelters know that there is a risk when working in high - crime neighborhoods or with individuals who are mentally ill , they continue to work at homeless shelters .
Employees feel that employees are performing a public service akin to the police or firefighters .
While many employees of shelters know that there is a risk when working in high - crime neighborhoods or with individuals who are mentally ill , they continue to work at homeless shelters because they feel that they are performing a public service akin to the police or firefighters .