It got your attention, didn’t it? It got mine too when I saw him approaching in Nathan Phillips Square in front of Toronto’s City Hall.

I knew there had to be a story behind that message on his hoodie so I told him I was curious about the message on his hoodie and wanted to know the story behind it. His response was friendly and he explained it’s a nonprofit organization with the goal of making the world a better place. Their website is www.utwnow.org and it explains “Our mission is to empower and inspire people around the world to take positive actions in their own communities. No positive action is too small, and it will make a difference. It’s the sum of our actions that will move the world in the right direction.” Their home base is Los Angeles where they have projects to help the homeless. Meet Shayne.

Shayne explained that the wording shocks some people but that the aim is to be noticed. It sure worked on me. As we chatted on the square, I told Shayne about my photo project, The Human Family, and noted that some of our objectives are similar to those of the Unfuck The World organization. I asked if he would participate in my photo project and bring a bit of extra attention to the UTW movement. He said he would be glad to and had a few minutes on his way home from work.

The square is a large open space which posed some challenges for portrait backgrounds. I suggested we walk a few steps and use the windows of the public library branch and café which occupy the ground floor of City Hall. Photos taken, we chatted.

Shayne is 28 and came to Toronto from Sioux Saint Marie near the juncture of Lakes Superior, Michigan, and Huron. He is a tower crane operator, a job central to the efficiency and safety of worksites where highrise buildings are going up. Tower crane operators have to have a good understanding of the construction site so they can efficiently move materials to keep the worksite progressing efficiently and safely. He works in solitude in a cabin high above the city and is in constant communication with construction supervisors on ground level who direct his activities through a walkie-talkie.

Shayne likes his work because it carries a lot of responsibility. He grew up being responsible from a young age. He explained that his parents split up when he was young and he learned to be self-directed and independent early on. He said he has always been motivated to help others; it seems to be in his personality. Shayne described himself as a Humanitarian who is committed to making the world a better place. When I asked him one thing that would help “unfuck the world” he said “Teamwork. As simple as it sounds, if we would all think more of We and less of Me, the world would be a much better place.”

Shayne was on his way home from work and I didn’t want to detain him but I found him a very thoughtful and community-minded fellow and it was a pleasure meeting him. I thanked him for taking the time to meet and explain the “Unfuck The World” movement and wished him well. He, in turn, thanked me and said “It was nice meeting you too… and thanks for noticing my hoodie.” We parted with a friendly handshake.

The next time I see someone working high above the city in the cab of a tower crane (of which there are so many in Toronto right now) I’m going to be wondering if that speck in the cab above is Shayne.

Thank you Shayne for participating in my photo project. This is my 350th submission to The Human Family group on Flickr.

You can view more street portraits and stories by visiting The Human Family.

Follow-up:

Receiving an email like this one from Shayne really does reaffirm what we already know: That this project really does have a positive impact.

"I'm glad to be apart of your human family project. Thanks for not putting the photos up with my eyes closed. You have very well written articles. I am humbled by the wording in the description of our encounter.

Thanks again Jeff. I wish you well in your pursuit of inspiring people. Take care ."

www.utwnow.com/unfuck-the-world-day/ #future #events

Join us on June 8th, 2013 for the first annual Unfuck The World Day!

Unfuck The World Day is dedicated to all the Unfuckers of the world and the proactive actions they continue to take to make this world a better place.

On Saturday, June 8th, 2013, we’re going to throw a day-long party with music by international bands, streamed LIVE from across the globe. This day will be dedicated to introducing some of the world’s most outstanding positive projects and the people behind them, as well as continuing to spread awareness and inspire more people to take ACTION!

Via Facebook: Maike Both — SML Thank You!

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