Rev. Peter Young on the Rachael Ray Show Monday

Leigh Hornbeck of the Times Union wrote an interesting story about Father Peter Young, the indomitable Albany priest who efforts on behalf of "the least among us" have now earned him an appearance on the Rachael Ray Show tomorrow. The show appears on WNYT NewsChannel 13 at 3 p.m.

The Rev. Peter Young, an advocate for ex-convicts, the homeless and the addicted in Albany and throughout the state for more than 50 years, will appear on the Rachael Ray Show Monday.

Young, 81, founded the Peter Young Housing, Industries & Treatment Center in 1959 with the mission of "restorative justice." His work shows that when people with problems are given "restorative opportunities, they can do great things," he said.

Rachael Ray's mother, Elsa Scuderi, was aware of Young's work and urged her daughter to invite him on the show. The taping was Thursday, Young said, speaking from a train on his way home from Buffalo, where he opened a new center and met with alumni of his program on Friday.

"I've talked with a lot of people over the years, but I've never had my hair and makeup done," Young said, laughing.

Young said Ray demonstrated her usual enthusiasm and made a personal donation to the cause. The segment will include Ray's interview with Young and footage shot in Albany where Young's foundation provides preparation classes for the GED, computer skills and job training for students in culinary arts, hospitality and retail sales.

. . .

Times are tougher than ever for people with problems, Young said. Donations are fewer, forcing Young to choose between funding his efforts to provide housing for the people who come to him for help, and continue the cost of running a clothing bank in New York City. The clothing bank will close, Young said.

Young said when he started his work, he encountered more sympathy for troubled men and women than he does now. Today, he sees a dog-eat-dog atmosphere, especially for people with a felony on their records. It was easier in the 1950s to find housing for the homeless and recovering.

"I opened 14 halfway houses in 1959. Now because of code requirements, it would be impossible today," he said.

The lack of job opportunities drove Young to create his own industries to put people to work. The training puts people to work creating a taxpayer instead of someone who is the taxpayers' responsibility to support, Young said.

The rest of the article is here.