Review: A must read for anyone providing services to low-income populations.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 12, 2013
Poverty, hopelessness and homelessness, are a vicious cycle of despair for many families. Douglas Wallace has done an excellent job of given a voice to not only the difficulty but also the dangers of growing up in extreme poverty.Everything Will Be All Rightis a page turner. I couldn't put the book down. I related to Douglas' story in so many ways. My family was also dirt poor and barely had the basic necessities to survive from day to day.As the first member of my family to break the vicious, repetitive cycle of poverty and chose to pursue the American dream that is said to be available to everyone, I've been ridiculed and accused of thinking I'm better than everyone else.  I've been ostracized and laughed at, abused and mistreated.  When asked how I did it or what was so different about me that I could break out of the brutal cycle, I find myself repeating clichés.  "I knew I wanted something different for my family, I didn't want my kids to go through want I went through or I knew that if I worked hard and got good grades that I could end the cycle for my children."Though these clichés are accurate it doesn't paint the vivid picture that Mr. Wallace does.  If you want to get an honest look into the world of poverty and see the hard work and dedication that's needed to get out of it, then this is the book for you. If you have ever wondered, as I'm sure many have, "why won't they just work harder and combine their resources and clean up their communities?"Everything Will Be All Rightallows you an intimate glimpse into a world that normally has no voice. Not because the people living in it can't speak but because they don't know how to properly explain their dilemma.  Douglas take readers on a wonderful journey sharing with us intimate details of his life in a captivating story that keep you turning pages until the end.This book should be a MUST READ for every service provider working with the poor and destitute. From social workers to clergymen, police officers to teachers to politicians if you are working with those living in extreme poverty take a moment to understand what you are up against and only then will you be able to truly make a lasting impact.