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Two Harvard students plan cafe staffed by homeless people

The Crimson reports Breaktime, exact Harvard Square-ish location still under wraps, will feature Union Square donuts and vocational and mentoring programs for workers.

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Comments

It's a noble goal and I hope it works out, but the challenges of using a workforce that, almost by definition, can't get a job anywhere else, are pretty obvious.

Also this - "cafe that will be staffed by homeless youth and young adults" - is per se age discrimination. Even a charity can't turn away older applicants.

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You are the first to bitch/moan/gripe/trump that "they're stealing mah paycheck for people who won't learn to work".

Just go to hell. You are already headed there. Feel special somewhere else.

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there are a lot of business across boston (and country) that are staffed by homeless people through job programs. the issues are less obvious than you think.

also, if it **is** part of a program, than yes: they can hire the people enrolled. again, not that uncommon.

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a workforce that, almost by definition, can't get a job anywhere else

You know this based on what, exactly?

To the degree that it's true, have you considered that it might be for some pretty innocuous reasons (e.g., aren't rich, therefore can't pay for childcare, therefore need a flexible work schedule that most workplaces won't accommodate, or, are homeless because they're lgbtq and got tossed out of their house by their parents, therefore ended up fending for themselves at a young age, without the resources and advantages that allow youth/young adults to NOT be homeless)?

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Unemployment rate in MA is 3.5%, which is pretty close to as low as it gets. If someone wants a food service job, chances are they can find it.

https://www.google.com/search?q=unemployment+rate+mass&oq=unemployment+r...

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Have you tried living on minimum wage in the Boston area? You'd still be homeless.

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...and not to change the subject, but what qualifies two Harvard sophomores to manage such an operation?

I appreciate their intentions and the efforts they've done thus far, but it's just like Nadya Okamoto: What about them makes them different (besides the crimson H)?

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Conviction? Drive? Passion? A vision, maybe?
Y'know, maybe shit like that . .

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Not sure about state laws, but for EEOC compliance, I think they would need to have 20 employees for age discrimination laws to kick in, so assuming the two Harvard students count as employees, they can help exactly 17 homeless youth before this becomes an issue.

Also, many people who are homeless do have jobs, but they just aren't able to get the steady, reliable income needed to secure housing.

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I thought that said "stabbed." Glad for some happier news than that to start the week.

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donuts that cost $3.50 each and that none of them could afford otherwise?

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Why is that weird? Lots of service industry people work places they couldn't or wouldn't shop. Like bussing tables at Top of the Hub.

Maybe having that job will help them get to a place where they can treat themselves once in a while.

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Ever been to a resort, of any kind? I used to work at one back a ways. I don't know any of my coworkers who had the money to be a guest at that resort. For heaven's sake, look at what the average Disney worker makes vs. what it costs to go to the park for a day.

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As someone who made thirty bucks an hour to shuffle billionaires around the Financial District as they just got more of other people’s money.

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The person who brought you extra towels in the morning will be eating at the same restaurant that evening.

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in Harvard Square unless Harvard gives it a free place to crash.

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They're going to pay $15/hour?

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