Lydia Bardak attempts to improve life for the city's homeless

As an argument between a woman and man escalated, their voices rose as the man started yelling for his money to be returned. With violence seeming imminent, Lydia Bardak stepped in between the two and spent the next 20 minutes talking down the intoxicated man outside the day shelter into getting violent. 

It was a small taste of the everyday action Bardak sees as manager of the day shelter on 51 Street, but it does not get her down or keep her from continuing her work.

"I'm not doing it for recognition. I feel good and I'm blessed so it's easy for me to help others," said Bardak.