Blessings of the Burden: Reflections and Lessons in Helping the Homeless - Softcover

Burt, Alan R.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0802868606 ISBN 13: 9780802868602

Publisher: William B Eerdmans Publishing Co, 2013

Synopsis

In Blessings of the Burden Alan R. Burt shares his heart for people who are homeless. Full of personal stories drawn from almost two decades of firsthand experience working with the homeless, this book is a passionate plea for greater community involvement in confronting the pressing social problem of homelessness.

Unfolding in five parts, Blessings of the Burden includes Burt's own journey from apathy to advocacy, a moving interview with a formerly homeless man who is now the director of an organization that fights homelessness in Cape Cod, Burt's analysis of the fourteen main reasons why homelessness is such a massive problem in America, and an example of how one community developed an innovative and cost-effective approach to helping the homeless among them. Powerful and compelling, Blessings of the Burden will inspire readers to get involved with the homeless and to become advocates for their needs, believing that they can make a difference in their communities.

About this title

Review

Steven Bouma-Prediger-- Hope College""Blessings of the Burden" is a heartfelt reflection on the plight of the homeless in America. In this touching personal account of his own work with homeless people, Alan Burt gives voice to the voiceless among us -- people we all too often ignore and neglect. Woven into this compilation of stories is a perceptive analysis of the forces that cause homelessness as well as prayers and lessons about what ordinary people like us can do. May this slim volume find a broad readership."Dan Wolf-- Massachusetts State Senator"Alan Burt's journey, his message, and his ability to translate conviction into action are an inspiration. He is proof positive that individuals with faith, vision, and commitment can make profound differences in the lives of individuals and communities."Gabriel Fackre-- Andover Newton Theological School"The remarkable story of care and advocacy for the homeless on Cape Cod is inextricable from the life and witness of Alan Burt. Readers will be drawn into the sorrows and joys of the real people who are his companions on a shared journey. . . . A model of ministry for other communities."Philip F. Mangano-- American Round Table to Abolish Homelessness"People of faith who seek solutions to the moral disgrace of homelessness, who want to move from servicing homelessness to solving the problem, will benefit from this story."

Steven Bouma-Prediger-- Hope College"Blessings of the Burden is a heartfelt reflection on the plight of the homeless in America. In this touching personal account of his own work with homeless people, Alan Burt gives voice to the voiceless among us -- people we all too often ignore and neglect. Woven into this compilation of stories is a perceptive analysis of the forces that cause homelessness as well as prayers and lessons about what ordinary people like us can do. May this slim volume find a broad readership."Dan Wolf-- Massachusetts State Senator"Alan Burt's journey, his message, and his ability to translate conviction into action are an inspiration. He is proof positive that individuals with faith, vision, and commitment can make profound differences in the lives of individuals and communities."Gabriel Fackre-- Andover Newton Theological School"The remarkable story of care and advocacy for the homeless on Cape Cod is inextricable from the life and witness of Alan Burt. Readers will be drawn into the sorrows and joys of the real people who are his companions on a shared journey. . . . A model of ministry for other communities."Philip F. Mangano-- American Round Table to Abolish Homelessness"People of faith who seek solutions to the moral disgrace of homelessness, who want to move from servicing homelessness to solving the problem, will benefit from this story."

"Midwest Book Review" A profound and highly recommended account of individual and group efforts to fight a serious and enduring social ill. . . . Highly recommended. Steven Bouma-Prediger-- Hope College"Blessings of the Burden is a heartfelt reflection on the plight of the homeless in America. In this touching personal account of his own work with homeless people, Alan Burt gives voice to the voiceless among us -- people we all too often ignore and neglect. Woven into this compilation of stories is a perceptive analysis of the forces that cause homelessness as well as prayers and lessons about what ordinary people like us can do. May this slim volume find a broad readership."Dan Wolf-- Massachusetts State Senator"Alan Burt's journey, his message, and his ability to translate conviction into action are an inspiration. He is proof positive that individuals with faith, vision, and commitment can make profound differences in the lives of individuals and communities."Gabriel Fackre-- Andover Newton Theological School"The remarkable story of care and advocacy for the homeless on Cape Cod is inextricable from the life and witness of Alan Burt. Readers will be drawn into the sorrows and joys of the real people who are his companions on a shared journey. . . . A model of ministry for other communities."Philip F. Mangano-- American Round Table to Abolish Homelessness"People of faith who seek solutions to the moral disgrace of homelessness, who want to move from servicing homelessness to solving the problem, will benefit from this story."

Steven Bouma-Prediger
-- Hope College
""Blessings of the Burden" is a heartfelt reflection on the plight of the homeless in America. In this touching personal account of his own work with homeless people, Alan Burt gives voice to the voiceless among us -- people we all too often ignore and neglect. Woven into this compilation of stories is a perceptive analysis of the forces that cause homelessness as well as prayers and lessons about what ordinary people like us can do. May this slim volume find a broad readership."
Dan Wolf
-- Massachusetts State Senator
"Alan Burt's journey, his message, and his ability to translate conviction into action are an inspiration. He is proof positive that individuals with faith, vision, and commitment can make profound differences in the lives of individuals and communities."
Gabriel Fackre
-- Andover Newton Theological School
"The remarkable story of care and advocacy for the homeless on Cape Cod is inextricable from the life and witness of Alan Burt. Readers will be drawn into the sorrows and joys of the real people who are his companions on a shared journey. . . . A model of ministry for other communities."
Philip F. Mangano
-- American Round Table to Abolish Homelessness
"People of faith who seek solutions to the moral disgrace of homelessness, who want to move from servicing homelessness to solving the problem, will benefit from this story."

Steven Bouma-Prediger
-- Hope College
-Blessings of the Burden is a heartfelt reflection on the plight of the homeless in America. In this touching personal account of his own work with homeless people, Alan Burt gives voice to the voiceless among us -- people we all too often ignore and neglect. Woven into this compilation of stories is a perceptive analysis of the forces that cause homelessness as well as prayers and lessons about what ordinary people like us can do. May this slim volume find a broad readership.-
Dan Wolf
-- Massachusetts State Senator
-Alan Burt's journey, his message, and his ability to translate conviction into action are an inspiration. He is proof positive that individuals with faith, vision, and commitment can make profound differences in the lives of individuals and communities.-
Gabriel Fackre
-- Andover Newton Theological School
-The remarkable story of care and advocacy for the homeless on Cape Cod is inextricable from the life and witness of Alan Burt. Readers will be drawn into the sorrows and joys of the real people who are his companions on a shared journey. . . . A model of ministry for other communities.-
Philip F. Mangano
-- American Round Table to Abolish Homelessness
-People of faith who seek solutions to the moral disgrace of homelessness, who want to move from servicing homelessness to solving the problem, will benefit from this story.-

About the Author

Alan R. Burt is a state-licensed social worker who has beenadvocating for and working with the homeless since 1993 inCape Cod, Massachusetts.,

Edition details

• Publisher: William B Eerdmans Publishing Co
• Publication date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0802868606
• ISBN 13: 9780802868602
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 126