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A colorful history of lives rescued on New York City’s infamous boulevard of broken dreams
The Bowery has long been one of New York City’s most notorious streets, a magnet for gangsters, hucksters, and hobos. And despite sweeping changes, it is still all too often the end of the road for troubled war veterans, drug addicts, the mentally ill, the formerly incarcerated, and others generally down on their luck. Against this backdrop, for 140 years, Christians of every stripe have been coming together at the Bowery Mission to offer hearty meals, hot showers, clean beds, warm clothes – and, for thousands of homeless over the years, the help they need to get off the streets and back on their feet.
Jason Storbakken, a recent Bowery director, retraces that colorful history and profiles some of the illustrious characters that have made the Bowery an iconic New York institution. His book offers a lens through which to better understand the changing faces of homelessness, of American Christianity, and of New York City itself – all of which converge daily at the Bowery Mission’s red doors.
In this book, Jason Storbakken, a former Bowery Mission director who continues to work with the Mission, offers both a history and inspiring description of the ministry of the Bowery Mission that aims to “serve like you are serving a King.” The theme of how they have consistently treated those on the margins with dignity is a takeaway all of us might consider.
While much is being said about the current homeless situation in our nation, the Bowery Mission is one of the organizations that has been on the forefront of this battle. In fact, they have been there for more than 140 years. The reader is transported to 19th Century Lower Manhattan and then continues the journey to the present-day work of the Mission. On this journey, the author shares stories about the clients served in a way that is respectful, but real. The stories shared allow the reader to see beyond the nondescript, homeless persons they may encounter to people who have experienced trauma in ways that have led to their situations – experiences none of us would want to have. Yet, The Bowery Mission continues the work it has done from the beginning to impact their clients’ lives in significant ways. Do they win all the time? No. However, they have made significant impact in the lives of many clients while continuing the fight in this overwhelming battle.
This is a very interesting book about the history of the Bowery Mission. It has lots of real life stories about the people involved in the Mission in some way! This is not a thriller, but if you are a people-person and are curious about “bad places” you really need to get this book!
