When We Walk By: The Workbook

A step-by-step guide to showing up and doing your part to end homelessness in America—engagement prompts, community tools, and “how to help in 60 seconds” ideas for taking action and making real impact with our unhoused neighbors

Praise for When We Walk By:

“Fresh and hopeful solutions that could affect long-lasting change."
—Booklist, starred review

"A must-read for anyone interested in solving the problem of homelessness."
—Publishers Weekly

Homelessness is an issue that’s deeply important to most Americans—and most people want to help. But knowing what to do can be daunting: isn’t homelessness really just about mental health? Aren’t most unhoused people addicts? And what can I really do about it, anyway?

The truth: No, not reallly—and more importantly, you can do a lot.

Homelessness isn’t a choice, a lifestyle, or something that happens to people who “deserve” it—and myths or questions surrounding who loses their housing, why it happens, and what we can each do to support our unhoused neighbors can sometimes prevent us from showing up and taking action… even when we know we want to help.

You’ll learn:
Why person-first ideas—not punitive interventions—have the most impact
How most of what we’ve been told about our unhoused neighbors is wrong
Top takeaways, shareable stats, and “How to Help in 60 Seconds” Quick Actions for making a difference today
How to unpack your own preconceptions and hidden assumptions with quizzes, prompts, and exercises
About the importance of relationships and connections in ending homelessness
Who “the homeless” really are—and that they’re not who you think
How systemic forces shape the conditions that cause people to lose housing, jobs, healthcare, and dignity

In When We Walk By: The Workbook, authors Kevin Adler and Donald Burnes offer empowering, inspiring exercises that will help you gauge where you can make a difference—and help you build a comprehensive understanding of the intersecting issues that create and perpetuate homelessness in America today.