Kids Off the Block, Diane Latiker
Kids Off the Block, Diane Latiker
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Kids Off the Block
The Inspiring True Story of One Woman's Quest to Protect Chicago's Most Vulnerable Youth

Author: Diane Latiker, Bethany Mauger

Narrator: Lisa Reneé Pitts

Unabridged: 9 hr 14 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/01/2020


Synopsis

"What can I do?"

That was the question Diane Latiker asked of herself as she watched the teens in her Chicago neighborhood succumb at an alarming rate to gangs and gun violence. Her answer started small, inviting ten kids into her living room to talk about their struggles and dreams. But over the years it grew. With the help of God, her family, and many other people along the way, Diane's Kids Off the Block morphed from a personal crusade to do what she could into a nationally known program that has helped more than 3,000 at-risk Chicago teens.

In this powerful, energizing book, she tells her incredible story to men and women who are sick of sitting behind their keyboards watching the world crumble and are ready to do something to make a difference. Through doubt, financial strain, and deep grief over lives lost, Diane has never lost her faith that God called her to this life-transforming work. In this book she'll show you that God is calling you to do something too. Maybe something that feels small . . . definitely something that will change the world.

About Diane Latiker

Diane Latiker was a CNN Top Ten Hero of the Year in 2011 for her tireless work with at-risk Chicago teens. Recipient of the 2013 BET Shine a Light Award, she is an in-demand speaker and has been featured by national media outlets including NBC News, CBS News, NPR's Weekend Edition, Ebony magazine, Time magazine, the Huffington Post, and USA Today. In 2019, she spoke at the US House Judiciary Committee's first hearing on gun violence in years, and she graduated from the Goldin Institute as a 2019 Chicago Peace Fellow. Latiker lives in Chicago with her husband and their eight children.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Mikayla on September 03, 2020

If I was to describe this book in one word, it would be phenomenal. Diane Latiker, founder of Kids off the Block, tells an inspirational story of how she took action to make a difference in her community when no one else would. She takes you on a journey as she describes how Kids Off the Block went......more

Goodreads review by Shannan on September 12, 2020

One woman's quest to try to keep kids from Chicago from making the wrong decision when it comes to life and death situations. She opened up a center, much to the chagrin of her husband, but prompted by God and her Mother to assist in saving the lives of our youth. This woman is the true definition o......more

Goodreads review by Nancy on August 31, 2020

#Kids off the Block # by Diane Latiker is a true story. #Kids off the Block# is an inspirational nonfiction Christian story. # Kids off the Block# is a nonprofit organization started by Diane Latiker. This organization is in a troubled Chicago neighborhood. There are many gangs and troubled kids in......more

Goodreads review by Matthew on September 01, 2020

As a pastor that works with children and youth this book intrigued me. I did not know when I started this book that I would be crying by the end of it. Diane’s story inspires me. There are days that I wake up and I don’t want to continue. Things are hard and I want to call it quits, but like Diane,......more

Goodreads review by Cristie on September 02, 2020

Diane Latiker's devotion to the at risk youth in Chicago is nothing short of heroic. She goes into detail about the issues she continuously has to deal with when attempting to assist the youth. This is a great read and proves that one person can truly make a difference.......more