cover image Visionaries in Our Midst: Ordinary People Who Are Changing Our World

Visionaries in Our Midst: Ordinary People Who Are Changing Our World

Allison Silberberg. University Press of America, $39.95 (248pp) ISBN 978-0-7618-4718-2

While the media focuses on the economic peril and politicians focus on turf battles, writer and advocate Silberberg profiles amazing people working in the shadow of our nation's capitol finding innovating and expansive ways to serve the citizenry and, in particular, the most vulnerable among us. In the colorful and inspiring stories of 18 ""visionaries,"" Silberberg finds nonprofit Bright Beginnings serving homeless families just a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol, Life Pieces to Masterpieces helping African American youth through artistic expression, the CEO and founder of Mary's Center for Maternal and Child Care, the founder of the Georgetown Senior Center, the former D.C. police officer who created an after-school family and child support center called the Fishing School, and more. Silberberg, a veteran of nonprofit work, captures the motives and methods of these citizens with compassion, detailing their personal histories and obstacles-child advocacy group founder Aretha Lyles, for instance, was a single mother of three-while testifying to the far-reaching power of a determined individual.