Within Our Reach Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage (Paperback)

by Lisbeth Schorr (Author), Daniel Schorr (Author), William Julius Wilson (Foreword) "In the crossing zone between childhood and adulthood stands adolescence, with its many celebrated troubles..." (more)
Key Phrases: rotten outcomes, child management training, comprehensive prenatal care, Head Start, New York, New Haven (more...)

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.

Product Description
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. Within Our Reach provides a detailed account of the problem, and describes 24 programs that have proved successful in changing the lives of seriously disadvantaged children.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Anchor; 1 edition (May 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385242441
• ISBN-13: 978-0385242448
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.1 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.com Sales Rank: #251,305 in Books (See Bestsellers 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] "jkurie" (Lebanon, PA) - See all my reviews

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.

1 of 1 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)

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