synopsis

Born into poverty, neglect, and addiction — and a family also marked by mental illness — Joseph was abandoned by his parents at age four and raised by his grandparents in Eastern Kentucky. As a teenager, he experienced homelessness. This cycle can feel impossible to break, but Joseph's story proves otherwise.

Me and Poverty: A Journey of Inspiration and Escape is a heartfelt memoir of resilience and transformation, from a childhood marked by loss to a life devoted to breaking the chains of generational poverty. Joseph shares the highs and lows of a journey that changed everything — and the few key people who helped him find his way out.

But this book isn't really about Joseph. It's for the teachers, coordinators, mentors, and caregivers who show up every day for kids living some version of the same story. Through unflinching honesty, Joseph offers a window into what it feels like to be that child — and a roadmap for the adults determined to be the someone who changes everything for them.

Whether you're looking for a resource for your own understanding or a book to place in the hands of a young person who needs to know their story isn't over, Me and Poverty is for the ones already doing the work. You're the hero these kids need — this book just might help you see how.