Book Recommendations about Poverty Issues

HopeWorks staff read and recommends the following: HopeWorks! Here’s Proof: 22 Stories of Success, Ruby Payne’s What Every Church Member Should Know about Poverty, When Helping Hurts by Corbett & Fikkert, and Why Don’t They Just Get a Job? the story of Cincinnati Works by Liane Phillips and Echo Montgomery Garrett.

Corbett & Fikkert redefine poverty as an absence of shalom rooted in the brokenness of relationships with God, self, others, and the rest of creation. It’s true. Poverty is not all about material wealth, and helping can hurt. Be inspired by the story of retired corporate suburbanites Liane and Dave Phillips who founded Cincinnati Works. Staff members, Ron Wade, Antonio Owens and Laura Harrison, and board members, Barry Mitchell and Bob Turner were impressed by this organization during an October visit.

Benjamin Disraeli said, “The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches, but to reveal to him his own.” The opening chapter quotes alone are well worth the price of this good read.

Support HopeWorks and be blessed by this compilation of stories from 22 graduates. From Queen King, who graduated in 1992 through more recent graduates, these students have overcome significant obstacles. The book is available for $15 and would make a great Christmas gift for anyone on your list in need of encouragement. The featured graduates (including staff member, Antonio Owens) are determined, tenacious, people of faith who glorify God in each story. Call 901.272.3700 to order your copies of HopeWorks! Here’s Proof: 22 Stories of Success.

Together we can play a part in ending the cycle of unemployment and poverty.