Bullying Paranoid Schizophrenic

In our remote rural area with a limited population base it is very difficult to find volunteers for our nonprofit organization. As director, I must pick up the slack when no one is available and at age 72, this is something very hard on me, especially heavy physical work. Our problem is this.

There is only one person who seems to like to do volunteer work. He is a 63-year-old paranoid schizophrenic who refuses to take medication or participate in any of the new brain rehabilitation techniques that can help schizophrenia. ("I don't want to get well-I like to live off the government.") At times, he is a wonderful volunteer, totally cooperative, eager to do tasks, and do them well. This might last for a day or two, or an hour or two. Then without warning, he goes utterly ballistic over the slightest little thing, such as the tone of my voice, or a sound a stranger across the street makes, or it is simply a delusion that someone is watching him when no one is in sight.

I've know this man for 20 years and over that time he has alienated everyone he has ever met, even his only relatives, two brothers who want nothing to do with him. (They occasionally call me to ask about him.) At times he becomes totally erratic and sleeps under bridges. Then he gets wonderful institutional help and they set him up in a nice apartment but always, within months, he hates everyone in the complex and walks out, leaving nice furniture, books and clothing the organization provided for him. I've seen this happen probably 20 times in those 20 years I've known him.

When he is in our small town, we provide a simple room for him that he fills with books (he has a degree in psychology and is extremely well read). It is the only safe haven he has on a permanent basis.

But his bullying attacks are growing worse, and have become nearly unbearable. He cusses me, stomps out and leaves me in a time lurch so many times, I can't tell you. He disrespects what I say, taunting and sneering, making faces, etc. You know, the ugly usual. I find it really saps my energy even though I work hard to distance myself emotionally from all that is spewing forth.

I have observed that his bullying seems to intensify with sugar intake. I have mentioned it to case workers on the phone, but nothing is ever addressed. Could this be the cause of the erratic bullying attacks? (He does not do drugs or use alcohol but he loves coals and steals any sugar he sees.)

If we did not need a volunteer so badly, the Board would help me ban him from our premises, but what can we do when there is no help? And he knows this. So that makes him throw it in my face, "Ha ha, no one else will help you. They hate you. Ha ha" (Of course, he does not want to comprehend a small population base and the inordinate substance abuses in our small town.) And I must have the help in order to keep our small nonprofit going. (We are too far from a metro area to solicit volunteers from there -- we tried.)

I can't seem to find the information I need on how to set boundaries and deal with this type of shattered paranoid schizophrenic mind when they sink into the bullying mode. I would appreciate any professional input or shared real world experience. Twice lately he has grabbed me briefly and this has frightened me. Is he now dangerous? He does not carry a gun or a knife but was once a boxer in his youth. The local law enforcement is a sad joke from a very limited brain pool and who have upon occasion, also bullied me. He tells them I provoke him so he bullies to protect himself. They laugh and walk away. This leaves me utterly alone. What can I do?

Thank you for any input.