‘Our Day to End Poverty’ Book
Shows Ways to Make a Difference
By Martha Slater

A newly-published book, "Our Day to End Poverty: 24 Practical Ways You Can Make a Difference," written by Shannon Daley-Harris and Jeffrey Keenan, with Karen Speerstra, will be showcased this Saturday, July 14 at Cover to Cover Books on Main St. in Randolph. Speerstra will be at the bookstore to present a talk and sign copies from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

"The book contains over 400 actions people can take individually or with family or another group, to make ending poverty a reality by 2015, the date the world leaders have set in their Millennium Development Goals," explains Speerstra, who is president of Sophia Serve, in Randolph Center, a coaching service for writers and publishers. "I served as a member of the authoring team, primarily as editor, publishing mentor, researcher and ‘shepherdess.’"

Conceived and developed under the direction of Criterion Ventures, a national firm that invests time and talent in a few focused social ventures, the book has helpful ideas in the back for ways schools, businesses and faith organizations might wish to use this book. Specific actions are listed in each of the 24 chapters in four categories: Learn, Serve, Contribute and Live (meaning consider making some life changes.)

Criterion has worked in many sectors, including education, poverty alleviation, and healthcare to fulfill its stated mission to "incubate and scale social ventures that make for a better world." All net author royalties from the book will be donated to non-profit organizations.

Late last year, Mohammed Yunus won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end poverty through the use of micro-loans—sometimes smaller than $100—in South Asian and African communities. His Grameen Bank showed that even seemingly small gestures could have a huge impact.

The authors make the case that this is just as true for individuals as it is for big institutions. Using a typical 24-hour day as a framework, they divide the book into 24 chapters focusing on common daily activities, such as making breakfast, taking the kids to school and checking e-mail. They urge readers to look at these very ordinary days as a template to help them think about combating poverty in new, small, and inventive ways. Each chapter links a different action taken during the day to a particular aspect of poverty.

In addition to suggestions for actions, every chapter has a resource guide, listing anti-poverty groups and their web sites, and the authors show how to use all the information provided.

Two area churches are currently embracing the book and studying various ways they might help to address poverty issues.

At Speerstra’s own church, Christ Church in Bethel, each family will have a copy of the book and there will be a series of short talks by members about their experiences with poverty issues—locally, nationally and internationally—during worship services throughout July and August, followed by circle conversations during the coffee hour about specific poverty issues. Christ Church is also planning a film series for the fall in various member homes.

St. John’s Episcopal Church in Randolph will host forums based on the book, focusing in particular on Chapter 22, which deals with improving access to clean water.

Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children’s Defense Fund is among those who have praised this thought-provoking book for its practical advice.

"As we go about our busy daily lives, ‘Our Day to End Poverty’ challenges readers to see just how many ways we can find to make a difference," Edelman said. "With hundreds of action suggestions, this valuable resource reminds us how small steps can add up to help solve some of the world’s most difficult problems."

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