Within Our Reach: Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage [Paperback]

Lisbeth Schorr (Author), Daniel Schorr (Author), William Julius Wilson (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 1989

In this solidly researched book, the authors  demonstrate that the knowledge and techniques exist  to decrease the incidence of welfare dependency,  poor single-parent families and alienated,  uneducated youth. In addition to providing a detailed  account of the problem, they describe twenty-four  programs that have proved successful in changing  the lives of seriously disadvantaged children.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book, emphasizing the necessity for intensive, knowledgeably planned and staffed social services for young children, families, and adolescents identified as being at risk, picks up where Marian Wright Edelman's excellent Families in Peril ( LJ 3/1/87) left off. Schorr describes programs that have worked to weaken the cycle of disadvantagesome short-term, limited demonstration models; others (community health centers, Headstart) of longer duration and broader scale. She persuasively argues for America's self-interest in intervening to change the odds for these disadvantaged individuals and urges public support for leaders who will actively promote constructive action. Well-researched, well-documented, well-written, this is highly recommended. Suzanne W. Wood, SUNY Coll. of Technology, Alfred
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

In this solidly researched book, tne authors demonstrate that the knowledge and techniques exist to decrease the incidence of welfare dependency, poor single-parent families and alienated, uneducated youth. In addition to providing a detailed account of the problem, they describe twenty-four programs that have proved successful in changing the lives of seriously disadvantaged children.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; 1 edition (May 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385242441
• ISBN-13: 978-0385242448
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.9 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #499,407 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical and thorough resource on community initiatives, June 4, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Lebanon, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Within Our Reach: Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage (Paperback)

Lisbeth Schorr has written a first-rate book filled with extensive research on community programs that work. Anyone who is trying to find solutions to problems in their communities will find this resource extremely valuable. I've made it required reading for all my medical students doing a Leadership in Community Medicine elective, and the students have found it not only enormously readable and practical, but many have also purchased their own copies for future reference.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My "go to" book., September 10, 2008

By 

Jack Bender "Author of Disregarded, mediator,... (Zeeland, MI) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Within Our Reach: Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage (Paperback)

While the publication date could suggest that "Within Our Reach" is dated, I don't think so. We've done little to address poverty, unemployment, education and health concerns of the bottom sixth of the population. The challenges for those in poverty remain the same (only more pronounced) and the solutions viable (if only we would act). The author stresses throughout that children are particularly vulnerable, but the family must be helped as well because of its critical influence on children.

Schorr provides plenty of statistics to convince you that she's an authority and has done her homework. The book remains interesting throughout from the scenarios she paints of the lives of the people who often face not one but a number of challenges. The book remains hopeful from the descriptions of programs and strategies that do work.

One can't help but come away with the understanding that different national and state policies are critical for these issues to be addressed and that broader resolve must be developed for anything substantial to take place. Regardless of these sobering conclusions, one realizes from the description of successes that a better life for all citizens is "Within Our Reach."

-Jack H. Bender, author of Disregarded: Transforming the School and Workplace through Deep Respect and Courage