In July 2012 the Associated Press reported that by the end of the year the national poverty rate would grow to 15.7 percent of the population, a number equaling poverty levels present in 1965 during the days of President Lyndon Johnson’s “Great Society” and the “War on Poverty.”  …Some estimate that poverty is a problem for almost half of the American public.
Larry James, The Wealth of the Poor:
How Valuing Every Neighbor Restores Hope in our Cities
(Hunger * Health * Housing * Hope)

The disparity is overwhelming.  People who are poor frequently live in poor areas.  People who live in poor areas discover that it is more expensive to live in such areas than in better areas.  There are far fewer businesses, so there are fewer jobs.  Far fewer jobs!  There are almost no grocery stores, so they buy “food” in convenience stores.  And in convenience stores, food costs more.  And, there is very little “real food” at a convenience store.

And that’s just the beginning.

The problems are immense.  But the people – they are rich.  They are wise.  They have so very much to offer…

“Why do we fail to see the people?” asks Larry James in his wonderful new book:  The Wealth of the Poor.  (It is on pre-order status.  I read an advance copy.  Order your copy here).

Larry James is the CEO of CitySquare, a remarkable nonprofit based in Dallas.  The goal of CitySquare is to “move as many people as possible from their current situation to self-sufficiency,” Larry stated in a year-end video update.  I will post a review of his book soon, but here are a couple of highlights.

A few years ago, Larry and his team set forth their foundational principles:

• Foundational principles:
• Neighbors cannot be treated as projects and disconnected from us as human beings
• Neighbors cannot be treated as problems
• Neighbors cannot be treated as “opportunities for ministry”
• Neighbors must not be seen as clients.  We call them neighbors.
• Neighbors must be trusted and valued as they are, for who they are.

The book is filled with practical steps we can all take to “help,” but it is the poor themselves who are rich in ways to help themselves.  What they need is a little nudge forward, a little “coaching,” but…  long-term attention.

So, Larry recommends:

• Don’t give stuff – give money!  (Organizations like CitySquare can buy so much more food that you can with a dollar).
• Simple logic should prevail – it is “cheaper” and “better” to get a person into a “home of his/her own.”
• And — Everything matters.  No one approach/program is enough – there really must be a comprehensive approach.

I am presenting my synopsis of this book twice for CitySquare’s Urban Engagement Book Club.  The first time is today, and then on the first Thursday of March.  If you live in the Dallas area, come join us.  Larry will be present each time.

And, if you are interested in books on social justice and poverty (and, may I be so bold as to say you should be interested in such books), come join us for the Urban Engagement Book Club.  We meet twice every month, at noon, on the first and third Thursdays of the month.  Click here for information.