UNDER THE OVERPASS

SUMMARY

• Mike Yankoski feels called to help homeless people but doesn't know how
• He decides that he will be homeless for five months to see what it is really like
• Recruits his friend, Sam Purvis, to travel to major cities and
• experience first hand what homelessness is like
• They travel to Denver, DC, Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix and San Diego

PURPOSE

• Open the general public's eyes to real homelessness
• The men noted that the churches are closed at night; bars are open
• We throw away so many perfectly good and usable things
• You don't have to give them money, but just be kind and accepting
• They are people too, so we should help them feel like it

ELEMENTS

• The tone used by the author is URGENT
• He wants people to know that homeless people should not be "shunned"
• Urges people, especially Christians, to be more aware of actions towards people
• Bible study in cafe example

"This world was so completely different than the one I had known previously. Where I had known excess, I now saw only need. In my heart, I sensed attitudes of entitlement being replaced by thankfulness. My understanding of my world was being transformed and so was I." -Mike Yankoski (pg 32)

QUOTE

• Shows his changing of heart and lifestyle
• He went from being well off, to being on the streets and saw a huge change
• By changing his own life, he can go on to change others when he goes back home
• They were positive influences for Christ while on streets
• For example, they spent money they earned on others, never smoked...

REVIEW

• Author does a good job of conveying what it must be like to be on streets
• Provides examples of things we might not think of (bathrooms, walking far for food..)
• I would recommend this book for people who want a better understanding for homelessness
• It is very well written and is inspiring for people who want to change communities

MIKE YANKOSKI

-Yankoski, Mike G. Under The Overpass. Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 2005. Print.
-"Author of "Under The Overpass" to Speak." Cedarville University. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2015.