Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America

“Under the Overpass” is the story of two people who deliberately challenged themselves to enter a time of extreme suffering, and seeing how their beliefs--and especially actions--were affected by that experience. The author (and his cohort) honestly describe what life is like for people who live on the streets, as they share and/or witness the special challenges of people living with almost nothing. The author’s voice is clear and engaging, and the narrative develops smoothly, with a nice balance of sympathy, sadness, joy and humor.

The story is a compelling one, even outside the author’s focus on his particular Christian faith; he and his friend are simply people willing to subject their compassion, and the resilience of their show more beliefs, to an unusually extreme test. Their example, and the experiences they describe, are useful for anyone interested in expanding their understanding of human suffering in our supposed land of opportunity. File it with “Nickle and Dimed,” which is a more famous documentation of someone who went to great lengths to experience the world of the powerless. show less

Review of Under the Overpass by Mike Zankowski

I was hesitant when I began this book, fearing that it would simply be another rant. I was pleasantly surprised. It is a heart felt work stemming from a heart felt quest. I think what I find particularly endearing is the way in which the author honestly and openly shares the story. It would be easy for someone in his situation to be overly pious in a “holier than thou” sort of way. Instead, he is quite open about his own failings during his weeks on the street.
I like the way he admits his naiveté at the beginning as well as his frustrations with the very people whose lives he was sharing. In the end you know that he and his compatriot could take off that life in the same way that they show more would shed themselves of their street rags. The story, however, is something which they can never shed. Nor will you, the reader be able to leave it behind. I recommend this book and look forward to using it in the future with young adults. show less

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me (Matthew 25:40).

They are part of the urban landscape, often in our midst, and yet they are invisible to us-- or so we would like them to be. They are the homeless, and it is always easier to blame those involved or to ignore them than to do anything else.

Mike Yankoski, however, was convicted to go out and try to understand what it was like to experience homelessness in America. Thus, he and a companion spent five months in six major metropolitan areas (Denver, Washington DC, Portland, San Francisco, Phoenix, and San Diego), living on the streets and by panhandling. His story is show more chronicled in Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America, in a new five-year anniversary edition with a foreword, an interview of the author, and his further reflections.

The story is very compelling. All kinds of characters are met. Many are consistent with the stereotypes-- drug users, mentally ill, but also a lot of people just down on their luck. There is violence but also attempts to take care of one another. And then there is the reaction of the rest of America-- some stories of blessing, but a lot more of contempt and derision.

The author does well at balancing love, compassion, and mercy for the homeless with the realities of the sins that led many of them to their present condition. He forces Christians to get uncomfortable about the types of "growing pains" that they tolerate among fellow Christians (e.g. sanctimony, arrogance, etc.) with those they do not tolerate (e.g. drug use, etc.), not in an attempt to justify any sin, but to show just how far from Jesus' attitudes which too many believers have strayed. He also suggests many ways that believers can be of service and can help homeless people.

A very telling aspect of homelessness is the author's description of loneliness-- sure, one might be among other homeless people, but the exclusion from the rest of society is quite difficult for many. Sometimes the best thing that can be offered is to sit down and just have a conversation with the homeless. It doesn't always have to be just about food.

The book is most certainly worth consideration, as are the homeless. We would all do well to learn how to show compassion on those in need while being wise as serpents, and harmless as doves!

*-- book received as part of an early review program show less

I pulled this book off the shelf while visiting my brother-in-law and was surprised that it kept me turning the pages. The premise is simple: a guy decides to see what it is really like to be homeless. He heads for the streets for 5 months with nothing but the clothes on his back. For 200+ pages he keeps you interested with his story of survival via panhandling, eating out of garbage cans, and the few (and far between) kindnesses shown by strangers.

I'm really glad I read this book. I thought I was sensitive to the homeless population, but I will never look at a person at the side of the road the same way again. Don't worry-- I won't be giving out money to drug addicts. (He advises against monetary donations.) But I'll offer food and show more --best of all--affirm human dignity by eye contact and tone-of-voice. show less

Finished this book wondering if I might have gotten more out of this book then the author??

Ok, maybe that's being slightly self-righteous, but this book was pretty much a warm feeling-cold feeling (love and hate being too strong of terms) experience for me, with Mike Yankoski = cold feeling and idea = warm feeling; that's probably a bit too harsh too.

I recognize that humans are, even when they have the best of intentions, flawed, so since Yankoski wasn't inspired to write the next book of the Bible, I should probably cut him some slack, but then I have to think "where is all the money from this book going?" to another middle class guy who just happens to notice homeless people? He's using his experience with homeless people to make show more money?

Maybe he just needed some time to let the whole experience ferment a little more, but the end of the book didn't show him very inspired. Did he learn anything, except maybe that he doesn't want to end up homeless? It's not that I want to pigeon-hole him as "the homeless guy", but he wrote a book on the subject, thus claiming some kind of authority on the subject; so shouldn't he be doing something? show less

A beautiful book describing two young, Christian men that want to explore the homeless condition in America up close and personal. These guys not only take their faith seriously but live it out. Every pastor should read this especially those that oppose social justice. These guys live out Jesus.
Along their journey you'll have their answer to the question should I give money to panhandlers? You'll also hear their critique for churches that don't respond to Jesus' question 'where were you when I was hungry?'
My favorite quote: "Love can't cover wrongs if we let frustration keep us apart." This was Mike's response when they decided to revisit a church that kicked them out but responded with grace the second time around.

Mixed feelings - the story itself was quite engaging and well-told. The author is honest about the drawbacks and unrealities of his experience. Finding out that the experiment is still shaping and affecting him five years later is important - five months of voluntary homelessness gave the author a deep, true and lasting picture of homelessness in America. Not a complete picture, and not an overabundance of wisdom in dealing with bigger issues surrounding homelessness, but at least an understanding, a concern, and a passion. This was no journalistic experiment, even if has moments where it can appear like that. Yankoski's journey was motivated by a Christ-honoring compassion, and it is resulting in good fruit. This book raises some great show more questions about short term missions, homelessness, Christian mercy and wisdom, and however different approaches may view Yankoski's journey, the discussion is a valuable one to have. show less