A review by jdscott50
Rough Sleepers: Dr. Jim O'Connell's Urgent Mission to Bring Healing to Homeless People by Tracy Kidder

informative medium-paced

5.0

In Rough Sleepers, best-selling author Tracey Kidder tells the story of Jim O'Connell, a man finishing his medical degree 40 years ago and taking a year off to provide aid to the homeless, which changed his life. He has spent the rest of his life supporting and creating systems to help the homeless. His outreach van provides food, clothes, medical checkups, and encouragement to go to the shelters. Soaking of feet and listening to woes can go just as far as providing healing as any service. It can heal the soul of the patient as well as the doctor. We follow the trials and tribulations of Jim, his co-workers, the people he meets on the street, and how the program has evolved. 

This is a timely narrative as more and more people are squeezed out of their homes and have no resources to assist. People like Jim keep the worst from happening, and the program seems like it would be good to expand in most communities. People avoid shelters and assistance for various reasons; the program helps the most vulnerable.