A Story of Suffering and Hope: Lessons from Latino Youth

by Eileen McNerney

This amazing book captures one Catholic nun's compelling story about her work with young people who are growing up poor and tough in a Mexican barrio in California. In 1993, a sixteen year-old was shot and killed in a gang-related incident behind Sister Eileen McNerney's residence. Deeply affected by the tragedy, Sr. McNerney gathered support and began Taller San Jose (St. Joseph's Workshop) in 1995. Taller San Jose is a successful, non-profit, continuing education project for mostly Latino young men and women in crisis. "Their parents may have crossed the border eager for a chance at economic survival, but the young, raised in poverty in a first world environment, can easily lose their identity along the way. Acculturation is neither a natural nor a linear process and there are traps along the way ―gangs, drugs and crime."―Sr. Eileen McNerney The stakes are high and the future often seems grim, yet when Sr. McNerney enters the world of Latino youth at risk, she lets them teach her about life―theirs and hers. But who is it that ministers to whom there? Is it the youth surrounded by love who are healed? Or, is it their love that transforms her? †

176 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Sister Eileen McNerney, CSJ is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange.

Reviews

[Shawna]

This is a compelling story about a woman who say a need in her community and made change happen for thousands of young adults caught in the grip of gang violence and poverty. A very honest memoir from woman who just happens to be a Catholic nun.