Waking up in America

"Waking Up in America is the autobiography of a man who has emerged as a pioneer in the field of caring for the growing population of impoverished and homeless Americans, and as a force for social change."--BOOK JACKET. "Dr. Pedro Jose Greer, the son of Cuban immigrants and the founder of Miami's Camillus Health Concern, has traveled from the trash-littered, drug-infested streets of one of America's toughest neighborhoods to the offices of corporate and political power brokers. Throughout his odyssey he has become known for his tireless efforts to bring health care to society's "untouchables" - homeless drug addicts, hookers, alcoholics, runaways, or people who have simply lost their way. Many of them are in need of medical care, but all of them are in need of compassion, and "Dr. Joe" dispenses both for free."--BOOK JACKET. "Waking Up in America is not only Dr. Joe's story, it also holds the emotion-filled stories of the people whose lives he has changed forever. His message is simple: stop thinking of members of the underclass as "screwups" and start thinking of them as human beings. By putting a human face on poverty - by gently urging us to take responsibility through simply offering a kind word or a smile, instead of always looking the other way - Dr. Greer proves that hope exists for every person, no matter how dire his or her circumstances."--BOOK JACKET.