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Mauricio L. Miller
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The Alternative: Most of What You Believe About Poverty Is Wrong Paperback – July 14, 2017

by Mauricio L. Miller (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 112 ratings
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Clara Miller, President of the F. B. Heron Foundation: The Alternative, is not only important reading, it’s imperative. Miller, a trained engineer, the one-time manager of a top social service organization and most importantly, the son of a remarkable single mother, has both lived and observed the failings embodied in our attitudes toward the poor and, as a result, the flaws in our systems meant to help people in poverty. He merges heart and soul with system thinking to yield a prescription featuring the real math, trust relationships and courage that can change the “us and them,” to “upward together” and put American families in the driver’s seat to build their futures.
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    226 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    July 14, 2017
  4. Dimensions
    5.98 x 0.57 x 9.02 inches
  5. ISBN-10
    1483472256
  6. ISBN-13
    978-1483472256
  7. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lulu Publishing Services; null edition (July 14, 2017)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 226 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1483472256
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1483472256
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.98 x 0.57 x 9.02 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 112 ratings

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Mauricio L. Miller

Mauricio L. Miller

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
112 global ratings
The Alternative Is The New Formula For Sustainable International Development
5 Stars
The Alternative Is The New Formula For Sustainable International Development
We really enjoyed The Alternative when we took a journey that was shared by readers from diverse walks of life. Former missionaries, immigrants, refugees, social workers, ministers serving people affected by homelessness, sexual exploitation, racism, academia... "Find life and nurture it." said Dr, Hall, President Emeritus, Emmanuel Gospel Center (EG) and a participant of a six (6) week long "Lunch & Learn" organized by Pastor Krua, Co-Director of Greater Boston Refugee Ministry. The ideas in the Alternative are shaping our understanding and approach in serving the poor, refugees and under privileged people in our communities and our world. Thank you Mauricio for sharing the Alternative with the world. I hope this model will be adopted for international development as well as places of worship desirous of "helping" the poor in a respectful and sustainable manner. Hey, put together a group, don't go solo!!
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Top reviews from the United States

R. Silva
5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle revolution.
Reviewed in the United States on May 24, 2018
Verified Purchase
I'm a healthcare professional. I was first introduced to Miller at a social innovation conference in Portland, Or. Miller's first hand experience with poverty gives him a unique level of authority to speak on this topic. The perspective he offers has completely changed my thinking about how to support those in poverty. They definitely need help, but not in the way we tend to think. Miller provides rationale for his philosophy and brings it to life with case studies. Then he describes some of the nuts and bolts for how is philosophy has been put to work to create the opportunities low-income families are looking for. This is the kind of gentle revolution I want to be a part of!
2 people found this helpful
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J. Regenstein
5.0 out of 5 stars A Crowd Sourced Poverty Escape Plan
Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2019
Verified Purchase
What am amazing look into what works to tap into people’s self determination and resourcefulness. It reminds me of design thinking where the goal is to find where your talents intersect with your clients life. As opposed to trying to sell them something take a walk in their shoes to see where you fit in their routines and lives. This should be the most recommended book to those who intend to get into social work or who already work in the industry. This should include those who fund these initiatives whether public or private.
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Cook
4.0 out of 5 stars Want to support this effort, hope he updates the book
Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2019
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The book was a good read. The ideas are powerful and sometimes go against "what you believe" had been true. The operation of his charity is intriguing and may be effective (I donated to it). I enjoyed the tone, which obviously reflects the Mr. Miller's own words. The book, though, is a rough gem, and I hope an update can be published that strengthens the presentation. The arguments for his new "investment" approach are supported overwhelmingly not with numerical data, but with anecdotes. Unfortunately, cherry-picked anecdotes can make even inefficient operations seem valuable. It would be nice to see a second edition book produced by a collaboration of Mr. Miller and a social scientist or political scientist skilled at the skeptical viewpoint, to hone the strength of the advocacy that the book should convey.
6 people found this helpful
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Phil Shapiro
5.0 out of 5 stars This book is an engaging read telling the personal story of Mauricio Lim Miller
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2017
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 This book is an engaging read telling the personal story of Mauricio Lim Miller, whose social innovations in promoting economic mobility are something we can all learn from. Miller's storytelling allows readers to see the world as he lived it -- and to benefit from the lessons he gleaned in his life, from his remarkable mother to the deep dignity of many of the individuals and families he has helped. You end up being a better human being after reading this book. A highly recommended purchase for public and school libraries.
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Eric Kinman
5.0 out of 5 stars A critical book
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2018
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This is a critical book for anyone in the community service sector - practitioner, funder, policy maker, organizer, neighbor, etc. Mauricio Miller provides grounded insight into The Alternative - how we must collectively shift our viewpoint about poverty, the people in/out of poverty, and the actions necessary to reduce poverty. He advocates a fundamental shift in thinking, which by itself is incredibly challenging; however, the book's narrative and pace provide a clear path to understanding the Alternative approach and achieving the Alternative approach.
One person found this helpful
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marie zernovoj
5.0 out of 5 stars The Alternative is a must read. Mauricio essentially calls ...
Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2017
Verified Purchase
The Alternative is a must read. Mauricio essentially calls on a Fundamental shift on how we deliver monies to those in poverty. He calls funders, those in higher positions in congress, to change congressional protocol and policies so that monies can be delivered directly to the people The alternative is somewhat a simple solution to an otherwise complex situation. The ultimate goal being social equality and decreasing social stereotyping and social bias.

Marie Zernovoj
Emerald Hills Ca
4 people found this helpful
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Rick
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read on a difficult problem
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2020
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The book brought clarity to why we still have massive poverty after fifty years of effort and cost. Data driven analysis of what works and what doesn’t and what is being accomplished with programs like Family Independence Initiative. A very good read.
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Venessa F.
3.0 out of 5 stars Printed Upside Down and Backwards
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2021
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Our company ordered several copies of this book and as of right now, we know one was printed upside down and backwards... we put them in staff gift bags without checking first so we are hoping we didn't run into this problem more than once. Would love to see about getting a new copy to replace the one pictured. Otherwise, love the book!
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Venessa F.
3.0 out of 5 stars Printed Upside Down and Backwards
Reviewed in the United States on August 16, 2021
Our company ordered several copies of this book and as of right now, we know one was printed upside down and backwards... we put them in staff gift bags without checking first so we are hoping we didn't run into this problem more than once. Would love to see about getting a new copy to replace the one pictured. Otherwise, love the book!
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Top reviews from other countries

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Joao Carlos Machado Ferreira Junior
4.0 out of 5 stars Relevant insights
Reviewed in Brazil on May 28, 2019
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Mauricio’s experience is inspiring and suggests a different and more productive approach to improve life of the poor. However, it lacks depth, probably because his concepts depend on his practical experience, which are limited by time and resources. Other experiences, from other people trying similar approaches would improve the value of the book significantly.
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5.0 out of 5 stars Uitdagend scherp confronterend inzicht en werkzaamheid
Reviewed in the Netherlands on September 29, 2017
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Lim Miller neemt ons als tweede generatie migranten zoon mee in zijn ontdekkingstocht om armoede op een slimmere manier te bestrijden. Zijn boodschap: vertrouw en investeer direct in (eenouder) families! Precies dat wat we in NL al jaren over het hoofd zien.
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BFA
5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for any of us in the charity/non-profit sector
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 24, 2018
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This is one of the most inspiring, invigorating books I've ever read. It is a must-read for any of us in the charity sector: including those that work or volunteer for charities, donate to charities, or serve on the boards of charities.

Charities have been called 'the playground for the well-intended.' But if we're serious about eradicating poverty, we need to rethink our approach. We need more than just a playground; we need a model that rewards self-determination, that enables self-sufficiency, and that is based on assets and strengths of people and communities.

This book details why Mauricio Miller left a 35-year career in traditional social services to trial a new approach with the Family Independence Initiative. And why charities should use a coaching approach to facilitate people and systems to drive change forwards, for themselves - rather than doing it for them - in recognition that we are all the experts in our own lives.
One person found this helpful
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Antaeus
5.0 out of 5 stars The book that will change your thinking
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 2, 2020
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Most efforts to help poor people end up
Labelling them and keeping them in poverty

What poorer people need is something to back them to make their own way out of poverty.

This book shows it’s done
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