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"Under Hope’s Roof" compiled and written by Myrne Roe
 
If knowledge is power, Myrne Roe has given those of us fortunate enough to escape dire circumstances enough fodder to tap into that power and help some folks in need. In "Under Hope’s Roof," Myrne Roe profiles fourteen brave, insightful and stalwart people. Throughout 2006 and 2007 Myrne spent time listening to these men and women who have been homeless: some chronically so, some suffering a short term set-back, and others who have been there and back several times. Like those of us who have homes, all of the people got to such a place through a series of experiences: no one of them just decided one day to live on the streets or find a shelter in order to be taken care of.
 
By presenting the stories of people such as Luysa and her “adopted” mother, Chile, both Vietnamese who have suffered the ravages of war, or Jerry, a sort of a good 'ol boy who has found work at Inter-Faith, has been sober for 13 years and sees his sons regularly, Roe reveals the myriad challenges that would get the best of any of us: health issues and the cost of treatment; little or no money for basic necessities; few support systems to fall back on; the inability to ‘break away’ from a situation that might seem worse than their own.
 
What "Under Hope’s Roof" also shows is what it feels like to be living an unplanned, unscripted life for which there is no blueprint. Lives that are as meaningful as any and that are filled with hope and desire and the need to care for others, whether the care is given to children, an older person living alone or through service to those who have helped them.
 
Right now, Ray and his 15-year-daughter, Sabrina, live in a one bedroom apartment and are getting a car. Sabrina is a good student and is college bound—-that is, if Ray has anything to say about it. He has enough work to keep the apartment and to care for Sabrina and thinks life is very good as it is now. He saves for college and is looking ahead to scholarships to help with the education. Sounds like most dads I know.
 
Not everyone is as lucky to have supportive parents. Mischelle has struggled with depression for years. Her mother and father struggled to find anything they liked about their daughter when the family went to counseling. Mischelle was 11 then. Now, she has kids of her own and just wants to be there for them, but it is tough when the illness makes getting through the day a struggle in itself.
 
Again, if knowledge is power, after buying and reading "Under Hope’s Roof" we will know that there is no one answer to ending our homelessness epidemic, nor is there any one reason for it and the power we gain is in our ability to try to help.
 
All money collected for the purchase of "Under Hope’s Roof" by Myrne Roe goes to Inter-Faith Ministries. The price is a suggested donation of $15.00.
 
Review by Sarah Bagby, November 7, 2007
 

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