When We Walk By

November 27, 2023
Adler (Natural Disasters as a Catalyst for Social Capital), whose nonprofit Miracle Messages helps unhoused people “rebuild their social support systems,” and philanthropist Burnes (Journeys Out of Homelessness) examine in this impassioned treatise the “ongoing national tragedy” of homelessness in America. Describing how people who experience homelessness are “marked by extreme stigma and shame” and a “profound lack of nurturing relationships... that makes fostering social ties incredibly difficult,” the authors explain that the resultant “loneliness and social isolation” make regaining one’s footing nearly impossible. Even when new social connections are made, “emotional barriers” persist—such as “fear of rejection not wanting to be a burden.” Adler and Burnes contend that homelessness in the U.S. is a systemic problem, stemming from issues that can ensnare anyone—including inadequate wages, high rents, and expensive healthcare—which are compounded by laws that penalize the unhoused, such as bans on panhandling. But they point to a more foundational problem as well; critiquing America’s “pernicious hyper-individualism,” which enables people to “walk by” the homeless in tacit acceptance of the status quo, the authors exhort readers to enact change in their own lives. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in solving the problem of homelessness.

Starred review from November 1, 2023
This comprehensive overview of homelessness offers updates on current research, analysis, and solution-oriented practices, all presented through an especially empathetic lens. Nonprofit founder Adler (Natural Disasters as a Catalyst for Social Capital, 2015) dedicates this book to his Uncle Mark, an important figure in the author's childhood, who lived with schizophrenia and spent three decades on and off the streets. In an effort to understand his uncle's daily experiences, Adler launched a research project in which he invited unhoused individuals to wear body cameras and record what they wished people understood about their circumstances. These sessions led Adler to realize that social isolation is a key factor in underlying and chronic homelessness. Many individuals who find themselves in situational poverty purposely cut ties with family and friends due to shame, thus losing their safety nets. In 2014, Adler started Miracle Message, a nonprofit that seeks to reunite individuals experiencing homelessness with their families (often after decades) through sympathetic phone buddies and modest financial support. This program has been uniquely successful in reducing instances of homelessness, and the text outlines steps for initiating similar services, along with practical and realistic advice. Adler and Donald W. Burnes, with their co-authors, offer fresh and hopeful solutions that could effect long-lasting change.

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