EGC’s (Inaugural) Shalom-Seekers Book List

EGC’s (Inaugural) Shalom-Seekers Book List

Liza Cagua-McAllister for EGC staff

The Emmanuel Gospel Center (EGC) exists to catalyze kingdom-centered, systemic change for the shalom of the city and the glory of God. If you are also on this amazing mission, our staff recently put together a list of books that have influenced and helped us along this challenging journey!

We asked our team: What books from diverse authors have you read that have contributed meaningfully to your shalom-seeking in the urban context? Why were these books significant to you? 

Submissions ranged from systems thinking primers to books on racial healing, from urban ministry classics to challenging new works less than a year old. From the 28 books mentioned by our team, we selected about a dozen to display in our EGC breakroom. Here are a few of those noteworthy titles, with staff comments.

“I find this book important for shalom-seeking in the urban context because... ”

A Multitude of All Peoples 

A Multitude of All Peoples: Engaging Ancient Christianity's Global Identity by Vince L. Bantu (2020) 

In order to know where we are headed, we need to know where we’ve been. Dr. Bantu — a former EGC staff member — brilliantly challenges Western mental models and makes the case for how the Church’s very foundation is multicultural.

Buried Seeds

Buried Seeds: Learning from the Vibrant Resilience of Marginalized Christian Communities by Alexia Salvatierra and Brandon Wrencher (2022)

Rev. Dr. Salvatierra and Rev. Wrencher glean powerful learnings from faith communities facing brutal challenges and evidencing tremendous power and imagination! From these historic movements, they offer present-day applications to different audiences, which is very helpful given urban shalom-seekers’ diverse experiences and social locations.

The Color of Compromise

The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby (2020)

Dr. Tisby offers an eye-opening and thoughtful account of how the Church has been complicit in creating and maintaining the unjust structures of systemic racism in America. This is an important book for understanding one of the key issues of our times.

Ecosystems of Jubilee

Ecosystems of Jubilee: Economic Ethics for the Neighborhood by Adam Gustine and José Humphreys III (2023)

The authors richly engage Scripture to address the relationship between justice and economics, which is so central to making things right in our world. We can’t really live out the gospel without having it reshape our economic ethics, and this is a great beginning!

Seek the Peace of the City

Seek the Peace of the City: Reflections on Urban Ministry by Dr. Eldin Villafañe (1995)

Dr. Villafañe applies the “Jeremiah paradigm” for ministry in the city, laying the biblical and theological groundwork for engaging issues such as violence and reconciliation in the city with the wisdom and truth of God’s word.  

Thinking in Systems

Thinking in Systems: A Primer by Donella H. Meadows (2008) 

We work in a complex web of interrelated living systems. Understanding systems is fundamental to our work, and this is the classic primer on what systems are and why they matter. It’s a great starting point or great refresher for your systems journey.

Other titles you can find in the EGC breakroom:

• Beholding Beauty: Worshiping God through the Arts by Jason McConnell (2022) 

• Beyond Welcome: Centering Immigrants in our Christian Approach to Immigration by Karen González (2022) 

• First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament trans. by Terry M. Wildman with consultant editor First Nations Version Translation Council (2021)

• Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience Paperback by Sheila Wise Rowe (2020)  

• I Bring the Voices of My People: A Womanist Vision for Racial Reconciliation by Chanequa Walker-Barnes (2019) 

• The Alternative: Most of What You Believe About Poverty is Wrong by Mauricio Miller (2017)

• The Anatomy of Peace: Resolving the Heart of Conflict by The Arbinger Institute (2006)

Come by EGC to borrow one of these copies, check them out at your local library, or purchase them at your local, independent bookstore through bookshop.org!

These books help us pursue the shalom of the city for the glory of God. How about you?

Understanding Boston: Background and History Reading List

Understanding Boston: Background and History Reading List

by Rudy Mitchell, Senior Researcher

There are many different aspects of Boston and, therefore, different perspectives and resources are needed to understand the city. Boston has a long and rich history; a fascinating geographical and topographical development; strong educational, technical, and medical components; a history of activism, politics, protest, and organizing; a current and past mix of vibrant social and cultural groups; and a collection of distinctive neighborhoods.

One of the best ways to understand Boston is to walk around the city and its neighborhoods and engage in conversations with residents who have lived here for some time.

Felton, Robert Todd. Walking Boston: 34 Tours Through Beantown's Cobblestone Streets, Historic Districts, Ivory Towers and Bustling Waterfront, 2nd edition. Birmingham, Ala.: Wilderness Press, 2013.

Although this guide does not cover all neighborhoods, it has walks in quite a number of Boston’s neighborhoods.

Sloane, Robert, editor. WalkBoston: Walking Tours of Boston's Unique Neighborhoods. Boston: Appalachian Mountain Club, 2003.

Although this book is now aging, the active organization has a website – www.walkboston.org – with maps of the walks and other resources.

Books and other sources can also be helpful in broadening one’s perspective.

Top Five Books

Lukas, J. Anthony. Common Ground: A Turbulent Decade in the Lives of Three American Families. New York: Vintage Books, 1985.

O’Connell, Shaun, editor. Boston Voices and Visions. Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2010.

O'Connor, Thomas. The Hub: Boston Past and Present. Boston: Northeastern Univ. Press, 2001. Vrabel, Jim. A People’s History of the New Boston. Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2014.

Whitehill, Walter Muir, and Lawrence Kennedy. Boston: A Topographical History. 3rd edition. Cambridge: Harvard; Belknap Press, 2000.

RELATED: Top 5 Books for Understanding Boston

General and History

Allison, Robert J. A Short History of Boston. Beverly, Mass.: Commonwealth Editions, 2004.

Berenson, Barbara. Boston and the Civil War: Hub of the Second Revolution. Charleston, S.C.: The History Press, 2014.

Bostonian Society and Old South Association (now merged to become Revolutionary Spaces) The website - https://www.revolutionaryspaces.org/ - has videos related to Boston history and information on the Old State House and Old South Church. The organization holds important archival collections on Boston history.

Carr, Jacqueline Barbara. After the Siege: A Social History of Boston, 1775-1800. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 2005.

Howland, Llewellyn, III. A Book for Boston. Boston: David R. Godine, Publisher, 1980. Essays, stories and poems by various authors in honor of the city’s 350th anniversary.

Kay, Jane Holtz. Lost Boston. Expanded edition. Amherst, Mass.: University of Massachusetts Press, 2006.

In addition to 350 rare photos, this book contributes to understanding the history, development, and built environment of Boston through its narrative text.

Kirker, Harold, and James Kirker. Bulfinch’s Boston, 1787-1817. New York: Oxford University Press, 1964.

Klein, Christopher. Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands: A Guide to the City’s Hidden Shores. Boston: Union Park Press, 2011.

See also Snow, Edward Rowe. The Islands of Boston Harbor. Centennial edition. Updated by Jeremy D'Entremont. Boston: Commonwealth Editions, 2008.

Labaree, Benjamin Woods. The Boston Tea Party. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1979 (Originally Oxford Univ. Press, 1964). For a shorter account, see Robert J. Allison’s The Boston Tea Party. Beverly, Mass.: Commonwealth Editions, 2007.

O’Connell, Shaun, editor. Boston Voices and Visions. Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2010.

O’Connor, Thomas. The Athens of America: Boston 1825-1845. Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2006.

Archer, Richard. As If An Enemy’s Country: The British Occupation of Boston and the Origins of Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010.

O’Connor, Thomas H. Civil War Boston: Home Front and Battlefield. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 1997.

O'Connor, Thomas. The Hub: Boston Past and Present. Boston: Northeastern Univ. Press, 2001. Philbrick, Nathaniel. Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution. New York: The Penguin Group, 2013.

Rogers, Alan, and Lisa Rogers. Boston: City on a Hill: An Illustrated History. Sun Valley, Calif.: American Historical Press, 2007.

Rutman, Darrett B. Winthrop’s Boston: A Portrait of a Puritan Town, 1630-1649. Chapel Hill, N.C.: University of North Carolina Press, 1965. Published for the Institute of Early American History and Culture.

Vrabel, Jim. A People’s History of the New Boston. Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2014.

A history of activism in Boston during the 1960s and 1970s. Vrabel reveals how grassroots leaders and the common people were involved in protests and community organizing which contributed significantly to the renewal of Boston.

Vrabel, Jim. When in Boston: A Time Line and Almanac. Boston: Northeastern University Press, 2004.

Very short descriptions of events year by year throughout Boston’s history.

Winsor, Justin, editor. The Memorial History of Boston. 4 volumes. Boston: Ticknor and Company, 1881.

This is the standard multi-volume history covering the years up to 1881.

Wright, Conrad Edick, and Katherine P. Viens, editors. Entrepreneurs: The Boston Business Community, 1700-1850. Boston: Massachusetts Historical Society, Northeastern University Press, 1997.

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Top 5 Books for Understanding Boston

Top 5 Books for Understanding Boston

BY RUDY MITCHELL, Senior Researcher, Applied Research and Consulting

No one book or even a handful of books can fully cover the many facets of the city of Boston over its nearly 400 year history. Many books cover highly specific topics, present photographic highlights, or serve an academic readership. However, the following five books give distinctive insights, diverse perspectives, and general overviews. I recommend these five because they provide a variety of viewpoints, are general in nature, and can best serve most readers in understanding Boston.

A PEOPLE’S HISTORY OF THE NEW BOSTON

BY JIM VRABEL

Although many books about Boston focus on the city’s mayors, urban planners, and prominent leaders, Vrabel focuses on community activists, the poor, and working class men and women whose protests and community organizing played an unsung role in shaping the “New Boston” over the last fifty years. This important book, based on many interviews and extensive research, covers a range of issues from housing and urban renewal to education and jobs, as well as protests against a proposed Southwest Expressway and airport expansion.

COMMON GROUND: A TURBULENT DECADE IN THE LIVES OF THREE AMERICAN FAMILIES

BY J. ANTHONY LUKAS

The Pulitzer Prize winning Common Ground probes the roots of issues related to race, class, educational disparity, and income inequality which are still critical to understand and address. This brilliant work of historical nonfiction reads like an epic novel. In the foreground are three families: the black Twymons, the Irish McGoffs, and the Yankee Divers. The larger picture is not limited to Boston during the decade of court-ordered school integration through busing of students, although the book brings that era to life in intimate detail. Lukas paints a complex picture rich with details and explorations into the historical roots of the issues. Great works like this often draw on the details of one specific place and time to understand the larger, enduring concerns of American society and its cities.

THE HUB: BOSTON PAST AND PRESENT

BY THOMAS O’CONNOR

The Hub is the best general, one volume history of Boston. O’Connor draws on a long career of research and writing about Boston to distill his insights on Boston’s resistance and adaptations to political, social, religious, and economic changes over the centuries. While creatively adapting to major changes, the city and its neighborhoods have maintained their distinctive and historical qualities without becoming frozen in time. However, O’Connor defines the current challenge facing the city as retaining “its own distinctive identity as a city whose moral standards, civic virtues, and intellectual accomplishments once inspired a nation (xiii).”

BOSTON VOICES AND VISIONS

BY SHAUN O’CONNELL, ED.

The editor of this anthology of historical and literary excerpts about Boston has selected richly descriptive pieces as well as selections that consider the high purpose and vision set forth for the city.  These selections convey the flavor and everyday life of the city over the centuries, but also interpret, critique and praise the ideas, attitudes, and ideals of Boston. The book includes a wide range of authors from John Winthrop (1630), to Oliver Wendell Holmes (1831), to W.E.B. DuBois (1960), and Patricia Powell (2004).

BOSTON: A TOPOGRAPHICAL HISTORY. 3RD EDITION.

BY WALTER MUIR WHITEHILL AND LAWRENCE KENNEDY

While the title of this classic work may suggest a narrow focus, Whitehill’s book is actually an excellent introduction to the general development of Boston. The changing face of the Boston landscape and its built environment are concisely covered and generously illustrated with many pictures and maps. Some newer books go into more depth on the filling of the Back Bay and the process of urban renewal, but this work is especially helpful in understanding the first three centuries of central Boston history. Although the book does not cover the social and religious aspects of Boston in any depth, it provides a remarkable amount of detail about the city’s buildings and physical development, all in a very readable style.

For more recommended reading on Boston and its history as well as resources for walking the city, here is a fuller list of resources.

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Resources for Teaching Children Anti-Racism

Created by: Alyssa Tocci and Sadie Elliott-Hart

Children notice and are shaped by our racialized realities at a young age. As caregivers, mentors, and church family, we need to help children understand the realities of racism and develop a positive racial identity from a Biblical perspective. One of the first steps to doing this is to learn how to talk to young people about race and expose them to race-related conversations. See below for resources to help you talk to children about racism.

Organizations

Wee The People (WTP) is a Boston-based social justice project founded by two Black mothers with the mission of engaging kids in topics of activism and social change through dance, movement, storytelling, and the arts. Their programming is aimed at children ages 4 to 12 and is rooted in the core WTP values: empathy, equity, racial justice, and social justice. WTP also hosts workshops and seminars for parents to strategize and prepare for challenging conversations with their children. Their goal is “to create high-impact, celebratory experiences that promote uncomfortable conversations parents often avoid with young children.”

Raising Race Conscious Kids  is designed for adults learning to talk to children about race, diversity, and justice. Their primary media are blog posts, webinars, and workshops, created to equip parents and caregivers for conversations that prepare young people to work for racial justice. Many of their resources are aimed at White people, but “a community of guest bloggers represent diverse backgrounds and the strategies discussed may be helpful for all.”

Instagram

Raising Little Allies To Be by @wanderandwonder.studio

Raising Little Allies to Be is a free resource available in pdf form created to facilitate conversations between caregivers and children. It includes book suggestions, activities such as drawing and writing, and opportunities for questions and reflections.

Diversify Their Imagination by @thedignityeffect

Diversify Their Imagination is an Instagram Live series from The Dignity Effect, a page founded by Nya S. Abernathy that promotes peacemaking and social-emotional wellness for families. This resource and reflection series is designed to engage parents in dialogue regarding raising children with an “anti-racist, equality- & empathy-focused worldview.”

Podcast

Coffee + Crumbs Episode 51: Talking With Kids About Race with Tasha Morrison

In this episode, host Indiana Adams and guest Tasha Morrison, author of Be the Bridge, discuss conversations about race with children and leading by example in the fight for racial justice. Several key points that Tasha addresses are the difference between diversity and racial reconciliation, being ‘color brave’ versus color blind, and equipping children to stand up against injustice.

Articles

“How to talk to your children about protests and racism” by Sandee LaMotte, CNN

Written in the wake of George Floyd’s death, this article provides parents with steps to help their children understand recent racial events as well as more general guidelines for talking to kids about race. It provides descriptions of various age groups' development stages and suggestions about what kind of conversations are appropriate and productive to help children understand race and racism.

Books

Diverse Bookfinder is a unique database created to help users find children’s picture books that feature Black and Indigenous people and People of Color. Their comprehensive collection includes all depictions featuring BIPOC characters published or distributed in the US since 2002, making it an excellent resource to explore and borrow books that represent a range of experiences and identities.

Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race is a book about race and racism to read with children ages 3-5. Filled with vibrant illustrations, engaging questions, and tips for parents on how to continue the conversation, this book provides a helpful onramp to start a developmentally appropriate conversation with your little ones.

The Gospel in Color: A Theology of Racial Reconciliation for Parents and The Gospel in Color: A Theology of Racial Reconciliation for Kids explain race, racism and reconciliation from a Biblical perspective. The parent’s version is written with the goal of equipping parents to educate their children, and the kids’ version is designed to facilitate conversations between kids and parents. Both books make complex ideas accessible with engaging illustrations and text, and celebrate the power of the gospel to bring reconciliation. 

Family Guides 

These guides come in different versions aimed at different family identities and give both an education for caregivers and curriculum to use with children. They are downloadable books that can be read at any pace. You can purchase and read more about the three different guides here. You can also learn more about how to use these guides on Naomi or LaNesha’s blogs or Instagram accounts.

For more teaching children anti-racism tools, click here.

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If you are interested in Staying Connected to Alyssa and others Who Are Passionate about teaching children anti-racism, click Below.

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Alyssa Tocci is an apostolic leader of a house church network in Boston. She is responsible for the launching of multiple expressions of local church in the city. She has been involved in a variety of other ministry roles since 2010. She is a fruitful ministry coach for children's ministry leaders, disciple making movements, and domestic church planting. Alyssa has two boys and lives in Roxbury.

Healing Racial Trauma: Fresh Resources

Healing Racial Trauma: Fresh Resources

We at the Race & Christian Community Initiative (RCCI) at EGC would like to draw your attention to an essential upcoming book, Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience, by Boston area Christian counselor, speaker, and author Sheila Wise Rowe.

Racial trauma awareness—by both people of color and white people—is critical to healing our racial wounds and racial divides. Sheila’s newest book fills this crucial gap with an exploration of the reality and scope of racial trauma, along with interviews that honor real people’s paths toward resilience.

Sheila is the executive director of The Rehoboth House, an international healing and reconciliation ministry that provides counseling, spiritual direction, art therapy, retreats, and life coaching in Greater Boston and Johannesburg, South Africa. Spanning these two racism-charged settings in her work has yielded vital insights into racial trauma. In her 2018 article “Healing from Race-Based Trauma,” she shared poignantly about her journey from South Africa back to the US, when she observed more deeply the extent and impacts of race-based traumatic stress in the US.

In June of this year, RCCI was honored to welcome Sheila to give a keynote address on racial trauma at the RCCI Community Gathering & Fundraiser. There she explained the cycle of racism-based traumatic stress that people of color accumulate and carry with them daily. She challenged white people seeking racial reconciliation to understand and acknowledge racial trauma.

Watch brief clips from the 2019 RCCI keynote address:

SPECIAL OFFER

Pre-order Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience HERE and get 30% off with promotion code: OFFER20W. Offer good only until Monday, January 6, 2020!

You’re also invited to join Sheila at the Book Launch Party on Saturday, January 11! RSVPs are appreciated!

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Multi-Site Ministry In-Depth: Reading List

Multi-Site Ministry In-Depth: Reading List

By Rudy Mitchell, Senior Researcher

Highly Recommended

Bird, Warren. "Leadership Network/Generis Multisite Church Scorecards: Master Growth, More Believers and Greater Lay Participation." Leadership Network, 2014.

D’Angelo, David, and Ryan Stigile. MultiSite Church Pitfalls: 7 Dangers You Cannot Afford to Ignore. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016.

Surratt, Geoff, Gregg Ligon, and Warren Bird. The Multi-Site Church Revolution. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006.

Tomberlin, Jim, and Warren Bird. Better Together: Making Church Mergers Work. San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass, 2012.

Also Recommended

Banks, Adelle M. “Multisite Churches are Outpacing Growth of Megachurches.” The Christian Century, 19 September 2012, 17-18.

Barna Group. More Than Multisite: Inside Today's Methods and Models for Launching New Congregations.  Ventura, Calif.: Barna Group, 2016.

Bettis, Kara. “Beyond the Screens: How Can Multisite Churches Convey Pastoral Presence?” Leadership 36, no.3 (Summer 2015): 55-57.

Collier, Bryan. The Go-to Church: Post Megachurch Growth. Nashville, Tenn.: Abingdon Press, 2013.

Ferguson, Dave. “The Multi-site Church: Some Strengths of this New Life Form.” Leadership 24, no. 2 (Spring 2003): 80-84.

House, Brad, and Gregg Allison, MultiChurch: Exploring the Future of Multisite. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2017.

McConnell, Scott. Multi-Site Churches: Guidance for the Movement’s Next Generation. Nashville, Tenn.: B&H Books, 2009.

Pope, Randy. “3 Reasons We Stopped Doing Multisite Church: It's Hard to Lead Locally from a Distance.” Leadership, 36, no. 3 (Summer 2015): 58-59.

Smietana, Bob. “Flip This Church: More Small Churches Are Joining Big Ones In Order To Keep their Doors Open: Can The Multisite Movement Grow Without Treating Congregations As Little More Than Real Estate?” Christianity Today, June 2015, 42-48.

Surratt, Geof. Of Course People Prefer Live Preaching, But Video Venues Work When You Work Them. The Exchange: A Blog by Ed Stetzer, Christianity Today online, December 17, 2013.

Surratt, Geoff, Greg Ligon, and Warren Bird. A Multi-site Church Roadtrip : Exploring the New Normal. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2009.

Tomberlin, Jim. 125 Tips for MultiSite Churches, MultiSite Solutions. Scottsdale, AZ, 2011.

Tomberlin, Jim, and Tim Cool. Church Locality. Nashville, Tenn.: Rainer Publishing, 2014.
 

Homelessness In Depth: Best Books & Local Reports

Homelessness in Depth: Best Books & Local Reports

Books

Highly Recommended

Many authors present in-depth insights on all aspects of homelessness, from one woman’s personal account of homelessness to general perspectives. The first part observes changes and trends in the homeless population over the last three decades. The second part describes two contrasting program approaches, Pathways’ Housing First and Portland, Oregon’s Central City Concern with its Alcohol & Drug Free Community (ADFC) model. Later sections analyze why the US has not made more progress, with suggested pathways.

The co-authors were moved to put their faith into action and apply the Bible to the needs of their city. Although Chattanooga, TN was ranked the most “Bible minded” city by Barna and had 1,000 well attended churches, this religiosity did not seem to impact the situation of the city’s hundreds of homeless individuals. In response to these observations and their reading of the book of James, the authors started an outreach ministry which led to outdoor churches and ministries in 60 locations among homeless people in Chattanooga.

This Pulitzer and MacArthur Genius Grant winning book reveals one of the pathways leading to homelessness through the real life stories. A Boston Foundation study found that 23% of families applying for emergency shelter assistance gave the reason for their need as eviction or threatened eviction. Preventing homelessness requires an understanding of the factors and dynamics leading to housing evictions, and this book is an excellent place to start learning.

Dr. O’Connell shares stories and experiences of his work with individuals affected by homelessness in Boston. He is the founding physician of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program, which now serves thousands of people each year.

 

 

Other Recommended Books

Bouma-Prediger, Steven, and Brian J. Walsh. Beyond Homelessness: Christian Faith in a Culture of Displacement. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2008.

This book looks at more than just the physical and socio-economic aspects of homelessness. It is a deeper book which also critiques western culture, considers other types of  “homelessness,” and reflects theologically on the concept of home.

Corbett, Steve, and Brian Fikkert. When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself.  New edition. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2012.

Although this book does not deal directly with homelessness, it is still relevant because it covers related issues like poverty, wealth inequality, job readiness, health, and financial education. A major part of the book deals with poverty and how some efforts to alleviate it have negative and counterproductive impacts. The authors are right in recommending Asset Based Community Development as a useful approach for long term results.

Padgett, Deborah K., Benjamin F. Henwood, and Sam J. Tsemberis. Housing First: Ending Homelessness, Transforming Systems, and Changing Lives. New York: Oxford University Press, 2016.

This is one of the best books on the Housing First approach to ending chronic homelessness since one of the authors, Sam Tsemberis, was its originator. Housing First seeks “to provide immediate access to housing and an envelope of support services to individuals living on the streets” (viii), which is in contrast to “housing ready” or “staircase models” requiring people to meet certain requirements before moving through a progression of housing options. The book describes several approaches to address homelessness and explains the theory and history of  Housing First. It also presents research evidence supporting the approach. For example, when Boston’s Pine Street Inn tried a pilot Housing First program, 86% of the chronically homeless participants remained stably housed after one year. While there are some limitations and objections to Housing First, the approach has been influential and has brought about some systems changes.

Sharpe, Travis. 50 Practical Ways You Can Help the Homeless. Bloomington, Ind.: West Bow Press, 2017.

The practical ideas shared by Travis Sharpe are based on the author’s experience over the years. Most of these ideas are intended for helping individuals one by one in a relational context. Typical ideas include giving haircuts, shoes, snack packs, personal hygiene packs, and eating lunch with someone. Other ideas extend to help in finding a job and connecting to community resources. Although these acts of kindness do not address the deeper roots of homelessness, they are one avenue of Christian ministry that God can use. The author is the founder of an organization called Unsheltered International.

Wagner, David. Confronting Homelessness: Poverty, Politics, and the Failure of Social Policy. Boulder, Colorado: Lynne Rienner Publishers, 2012.

Reading about and listening to the life stories of individuals who are homeless is important, but understanding a historical perspective on homelessness in America is also valuable. Wagner’s book is primarily a history of efforts to reduce or end homelessness. The author covers attitudes toward those who were homeless, advocates’ protests, programs providing services, and efforts to raise money and awareness. Although the book looks briefly at some social theories, it does not focus on future solutions or policy proposals.

Yankoski, Mike. Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America. Updated and expanded edition. Colorado Springs, Colorado: Multnomah Books, 2010.

An account of the experiences of two young Christian men who spent five months living homeless on the streets in several cities across the country and the homeless individuals they meet. While no doubt this book could be critiqued on several levels, the observations and reflections of the author can still be helpful for people who have had little exposure to homelessness.

Reports

Boston Area

• 2015-2016 City of Boston Annual Homeless Census reports

• Boston’s Way Home: An Action Plan to End Veteran and Chronic Homelessness

  • 2015-2018 Plan (select "Find out more about our plans")

  • Update Report

• City of Cambridge 2016 Census of Persons Experiencing Homelessness

State of Massachusetts

The Boston Foundation Report on Family Homelessness. Rog, Debra J., Kathryn A. Henderson, Andrew L. Greer, Kathryn M. Kulbicki, Linda Weinreb, The Growing Challenge of Family Homelessness: Homeless Assistance for Families in Massachusetts: Trends in Use FY2008-FY2016. Boston: The Boston Foundation, 2017.

This report seeks to help the reader “understand the changes in the growth and composition of the homeless family population …and the nature of families’ experiences in the Emergency Assistance programs” (11).  It can help inform efforts to prevent and reduce family homelessness and help measure progress. The report documents family homelessness from 2008 to 2016, a period when over 33,000 families with over 100,000 individuals received shelter through the Massachusetts Emergency Assistance Program (7). The study looked at how long families are staying in shelters, finding the length of stay increased from an average of 247 days in 2008 to 360 days in 2016 (8). During that period the number of families in shelters increased 93% (11), although recent data indicate a hopeful decline in 2016. Churches can directly help prevent families from becoming homeless, but they should also be aware of state assistance programs they can refer people to. This report focuses on two of these programs: (1) Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), which provides financial support and services to prevent homelessness, and (2) HomeBASE, which provides help in finding alternatives to entering a shelter or stabilization after being in a shelter.

Massachusetts Coalition for the Homeless: Basic Facts on Homelessness in Massachusetts and Across the Country

For those who want to learn about and have a voice in policy decisions, the Coalition is a good entry point and source of current statistics and facts.

Report on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth in Massachusetts: “Massachusetts Youth Counts 2016”.

This report surveyed 502 homeless youth and provides information on where they were staying, what the reasons were for their homelessness, and the kinds of services they need. By the Massachusetts Commission on Unaccompanied Homeless Youth

Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development Monthly Reports on Family Homelessness and Emergency Assistance

 

National

2017 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress

The Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) is a report to the U.S. Congress on the extent and nature of homelessness in the United States. It provides counts of people experiencing homelessness and describes their demographic characteristics and service use patterns. It has become the central resource for national data on homelessness, used by federal, state, and local policymakers to understand trends in homelessness and inform their policies. The AHAR is based on local data from Point-in-Time (PIT) counts, Housing Inventory Counts (HIC), and Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS).

Top 6 Books For Understanding The South End

Top 6 Books For Understanding The South End

by Rudy Mitchell, Senior Researcher, Applied Research and Consulting

The South End has undergone a dramatic transformation in this generation. Christian leaders in the South End can benefit from these recommended resources for foundational and ongoing learning about this dynamic community.

The books I've selected are not just informative — they also illustrate methods of researching a neighborhood or community. These methods include historical research, biographical research, the use of documents and photographs, interviews, and participant observation. The books also represent different time periods from the 1890s settlement house research to very recent studies. 

Once Upon a Neighborhood: A Timeline and Anecdotal History of the South End of Boston

by Alison Barnet

While Barnet’s history of the South End is not a continuous narrative, it is by far the most detailed study of the neighborhood. The book is arranged chronologically by year, with many years having multiple entries of a paragraph for each fact or anecdote. The history from the 1960s on is especially detailed since the author lived in the South End during that period. This work covers all types of businesses, publications, organizations, and churches. It does an excellent job of covering the rich diversity of groups and individuals which have lived in the South End. Some entries are associated with a founding date or initial activity, but also describe later developments up to the twentieth century. On the other hand anecdotes sometimes also review past history from the associated date. You can dive into this book at any point and find a fascinating mix of people, events and issues from a cross-section of neighborhood life.

Boston’s South End: The Clash of Ideas in a Historic Neighborhood 

by Russ Lopez

The South End is a complex neighborhood which has experienced many waves of change. This is the only full length book to narrate and interpret the overall history of this diverse community. Lopez notes some truth in the standard narrative of the neighborhood rising, declining, and gentrifying, but says the fuller story is more multifaceted and nuanced.  Since this has been a multi-racial, multi-ethnic neighborhood for over 125 years, it offers many lessons in conflict resolution and community organizing for other urban neighborhoods. The chapter on religion in the South End describes several major institutions, but fails to cover some of the largest Protestant churches. Although the book contains occasional factual errors, it is the most comprehensive history of the South End.  

A Block in Time: History of Boston's South End Through a Window on Holyoke Street

by Lynne Potts

See also by the same author, Faces of a Neighborhood: Boston’s South End in the Early Twenty-first Century.

Lynne Potts, a long term resident, writes with flair and adds a personal touch to her concise history of the South End. She also gives those interested in the research process glimpses of her own research methods including trips to archives and libraries as well as detailed first hand observations and interviews. Although the book includes enough general information to understand the neighborhood’s development and trends, its unique contribution is the author’s personal perspectives and experiences woven into the general narrative. The approach of studying a neighborhood beginning with an in-depth look at one typical block works well here because the people, events, and experiences described are representative of the larger neighborhood over the last several decades.

Boston’s South End

by Anthony Mitchell Sammarco

See also by the same author, Boston’s South End: Then and Now.

The Arcadia Images of America Series books are full of historical photos with detailed descriptions and introductions for each of the towns and neighborhoods covered. While these do not give full histories of the communities, they do help the casual reader absorb a visual sense of the history and learn many detailed facts. Photos are organized in chapters about churches, schools, hospitals, businesses, libraries, transportation and other institutions. Many of the photographs show buildings, but quite anumber also include groups of everyday people. By learning about the history of your neighborhood you can join with others interested in history, have common ground for conversations, and gain an understanding of community identity.

Legendary Locals of Boston's South End

by Hope J. Shannon

While a neighborhood like the South End has many historical buildings, its current and past residents are the most interesting and important aspect of what makes it a community. Hope Shannon presents short, illustrated biographies of women and men of the past and recent times who have made significant contributions to the community and wider world. Shannon selects famous, infamous, and everyday people from many walks of life for Legendary Locals. The biographies range from Alexander Graham Bell, Louisa May Alcott, Rev. A.J. Gordon, and Cardinal Richard Cushing to former Mayor James Michael Curley. People who have lived in the South End of Boston over the last several decades will enjoy reading about historical figures and familiar faces, while newer residents and future generations will benefit from the careful research behind all of these biographies.

The City Wilderness: A Settlement Study

by Robert A. Woods, (editor)

In the 1890s the South End House was established as a settlement house, and the residents and associates began living in and researching the neighborhood. This classic book was the result of that research. Although the language and views were shaped by the culture and ideas of that time period, the research opens a window into the lives of South Enders at the turn of the century. The topics covered include history, description of the population, public health, employment, politics, “criminal tendencies,” recreation, the church, education, social agencies and charitable organizations (including an analysis of their methods). The most fascinating elements of the book are three color coded maps indicating for each block, the types of buildings, the nationalities of residents, and the types of employment of the workers. The book can be accessed online at Google books.

Other more specialized books on the South End

South End Character: Speaking Out on Neighborhood Change

by Alison Barnet

While the book Legendary Locals of Boston's South End highlights South Enders who achieved some prominence or fame, in contrast South End Character gives us a window into the lives of the lesser known “old South Enders.” Barnet also contrasts the perspectives and lifestyles of long-time residents and wealthier newcomers. Many of the chapters are reflections and sketches of people and life in the 1960s and 1970s. These short essays originally appeared as columns in the South End News. The look backward is not just a nostalgic reminisce, but an examination of values and issues in a changing neighborhood. Alison Barnet has also written several other books including South End Incident: A True Story.

Faces of a Neighborhood: Boston’s South End in the Early Twenty-first Century

by Lynne Potts

In this second book on the South End, author Lynne Potts interviewed 24 diverse neighborhood residents. The interviews draw out insights on contemporary issues facing people living in the city today. The 24 South Enders included people from different age groups, economic groups, as well as people who were long-time residents and newcomers.

Boston’s South End

by Lauren Prescott

This annotated collection of South End related postcards covers the period from the late 19th century to the mid Twentieth century. This is not a complete history, but it does have extensive notes with its many pictures of South End churches, hospitals, charity organizations, and businesses. For example, the book gives details on Rev. Edgar J. Helms’ development of Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, as well as historical notes on the Salvation Army, the Union Rescue Mission, the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, the YWCA, and the Woman’s Foreign Missionary Society (founded in the South End). Other chapters cover schools and education; hotels and recreation; and businesses and industry.

Villa Victoria: The Transformation of Social Capital in a Boston Barrio

by Mario Luis Small

Villa Victoria has been a national model of community development. This study looks at the relationship of poverty and social capital, finding in Villa Victoria that poorer urban communities are not necessarily lacking in social capital.

Good Neighbors: Gentrifying Diversity in Boston's South End

by Sylvie Tissot, (translated by David Broder and Catherine Romatowski)

A French Marxist’s perspective on gentrification in the South End based on participant observation and interview research in neighborhood associations and networks.

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Resources to Learn More About Human Trafficking

A. RECOMMENDED BOOKS

Remember to order through Amazon Smile and support an organization fighting human trafficking.

• The Just Church - Jim Martin

• The Diary of Jasmine Grace - Jasmine Grace Marino

• Girls Like Us - Rachel Lloyd

• The Slave Next Door - Kevin Bales

• Blood and Earth: Modern Slavery, Ecoside and the secret to saving the earth - Kevin Bales

• Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery - Siddharth Kara

• Not For Sale - David Batstone

• A Crime So Monstrous - Ben Skinner

• The Locust Effect - Gary Haugen

• The Good News about Injustice - Gary Haugen

• Half the Sky- Nicholas Kristof

• Justice Awakening: How you and your church can help end human trafficking - Eddie Byun

• The White Umbrella: walking with survivors of sex trafficking - Mary Frances Bowley

• Roadmap to Redemption, 10 week Workbook for survivors - Rebecca Bender

• Collaborating against human trafficking - Kirsten Foot

• The Essential Abolitionist: What you need to know about human trafficking and modern slavery - John Vanek

• Undaunted: Daring to do what God calls you to do - Christine Caine

• Unstoppable: Running the race you were born to win - Christine Caine

• Unashamed: Drop the baggage, pick up your freedom, fulfill your destiny- Christine Caine

B. RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTARIES:

• Sex+Money: A National Search for Human Worth

• Playground

• Very Young Girls

• Call and Response

• Fields of Mudan

• Nefarious: Merchant of Souls

• A path appears (Episode 1 features Boston, and MLMC)

• Voices of human trafficking 2017 (short video produced by EGC Films)

• I am Jane Doe

C. INFORMATIONAL WEBSITES:

• In My Backyard

• polarisproject.org (USA)

• Enditmovement.org (USA)

• mceht.org (MA state coalition)

• slaveryfootprint.org (labor trafficking)

• betterworldshopper.org (fair trade resources)

D. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES FOR SCHOOLS:

• Love 146 Not a Number Prevention Curriculum

• My Life My Choice Prevention Curriculum

• CAASE Chicago toolkits: The Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation (CAASE) provides comprehensive toolkits for teachers, writers, churches, students, doctors, etc who want to spread the word about human trafficking in their spheres.

• Learn2Impact social justice curriculum: Learn2Impact offers a free high school curriculum focused on social justice. The curriculum is planned out according to a semester long class schedule and includes units on human trafficking and fair labor.

• IJM Social Justice Curriculum for High School Students. International Justice Mission has created a complete curriculum for high school students dealing with social justice--particularly modern day slavery. Includes lesson plans, handouts, and homework assignments.

• Human Trafficking 101 for School Administrators and Staff Human Trafficking 101 Factsheets from the Blue Campaign with useful resources for trafficking awareness for schools.

• Human Trafficking Toolkit for High School Students and Educators A collection of downloadable resources about human trafficking to be used in a high school setting.

IV. Resources For Churches:

• International Justice Mission: ijm.org/churches

• Let my People Go Network: www.lmpgnetwork.org

• Greater Boston Prayer and Action Network: gbpan.wordpress.com

• Safe Church training: diomass.org/inside/learning/safe_church

• Safe Families Resources: http://www.safefamilies.org/

• Domestic Violence survivor support: Hagar’s Sisters: hagarssisters.org

• Domestic Violence Response Training: Safe Havens : interfaithpartners.org

• Response to Child Abuse in a Christian Context: www.netgrace.org

• Support for healing from sexual brokenness: Living Waters Ministry, Boston

• Sexual addiction, Men’s accountability groups: nathanproject.net

• Domestic Violence Abuser education, EMERGE: www.emergedv.com

• Confronting the Exploiters - by One Life Matters: onelifematters.org

• Fair Trade Products for Churches: Equal Exchange: shop.equalexchange.coop/organization-orders

• ENGAGE TOGETHER Church Toolkit

• Mentoring Toolkit - Elevate: taking your life to the next level By Rebecca Bender and Kathy Bryan

• Hands that Heal training - faastinternational.org/hands-that-heal

OTHER BOOKS/RESOURCES FOR LEADERS WE RECOMMEND:

• Anatomy of Peace - The Arbringer Institute

• Thanks for the Feedback - Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen

• Let Justice Roll Down - John Perkins

• Traveling Mercies - Anne Lamott

• Small Victories - Anne Lamott

• The Irresistible Revolution - Shane Claiborne

• Unlikely - Kevin Palau

• When Helping Hurts - Steve Corbett

• Helping without Hurting - Steve Corbett

• Generous Justice - by Tim Keller

• Trauma and Recovery - Judith Hermon

• The Wounded Heart - Dan Allender

• Real Sex - Lauren Winner