The gritty and inspiring story of Ron Casanova, who went from
homelessness to national homeless advocate
Each One Teach One recounts Ron Casanova's struggle out of poverty,
homelessness, and drug addiction to find dignity and purpose in life.
Through his own awakening, this Black Puerto Rican activist ultimately
finds his salvation in helping other people. Placed in an orphanage on
Staten Island at the age of three, Casanova faced overwhelming odds. His
story illuminates significant twentieth-century protests, including the
1988 riot at Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan, the "Housing Now" march
of the homeless on Washington, DC, in 1989, and community takeovers of
housing in Kansas City, New York, and Philadelphia.
Underlying Each One Teach One, with its vivid cast of characters and
intimate descriptions of Harlem, the Lower East Side, and Tent City, is
the profound sense that, no matter what your circumstance, you can use
your experience to help others. Ultimately, Casanova's story
demonstrates the possibility of self-sufficiency and self-empowerment.
Amid today's economic crisis and rising homelessness, Casanova's story
brings a message of hope.
