Visionaries In Our Midst

October 19, 2009
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.

October 15, 2009
Silberberg takes the people making a difference idea and applies it to 18 organizations in the Washington, D.C., area. While she wavers between memoir and journalistic analysis, her intentions are good and the individuals she profiles are inspiring. From helping schoolchildren to providing legal advice, giving seniors a social outlet, and offering low-cost medical care via mobile units, she highlights a wealth of examples of doing good. Silberberg asks organizers exactly how ideas originated and were implemented, and shares annual budgets and staff sizes. She also lists contact information and similar organizations around the country for those seeking to get involved themselves. While this logistical data is welcome and truly useful, it is her moments of awareness during visits to various organizations that make this book so effective. Its one thing to understand the Taliban intellectually, she writes, while researching the Tahirih Justice Center in Falls Church, Virginia, its a whole other thing to see, photograph, and chat with an extended family that would not have survived. Doing good, Silberberg testifies, truly does save and improve lives.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)