Mean Streets Kind Heart

by Sue Williams, William Deane (Foreword)

A tale of how one man can touch the lives of many. Australian street-kids are the forgotten underclass of society, and this book tells of Father Riley's faltering first steps to helping such children, and his determination to pledge the rest of his life to giving them back their dreams.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

364 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Tony Cinque · Rating 4 out of 5]

A true love story. Where the “lover” sees neither beauty, ugliness, age, gender, hardship or reward. He neither mollycoddles nor humiliates. He sees only the pure need and action required to help the other. And then gets on with it.

Filled with deplorable heart-wrenching anecdotes, as well as many good ones, it shows the realities of seedy street life for Sydney’s youth. And the life-journey of Fr Chris that took him there, ultimately, right into the bear pit. He felt obligated to ask himself what can I do about it?

This story answers that question. And leaves us to answer the same question for ourselves.

[Ruth Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring life of helping street kids in Australia through starting farms, a detox centre, a food van, schools and mentoring. I often had tears in my eyes reading the heartbreaking and tragic stories of these children. Father Chris Riley stepped up to help when no-one else would. A saint of a man! Highest appreciation to Sue Williams for this biography.

[Chris Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of Father Chris Riley an amazing priest helping troubled kids in desperate trouble.

[Kerri · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing man, the world needs more like him, so inspiring.

[Natalie Gama e Silva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book and insight to the astonishing truth about homeless kids in Australia. It shows the hard work and dedication that Fr Chris Riley gives to these kids as well as across the whole industry. His work is to be applauded.

[Lynette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit slow moving at the start but a very inspiring and dedicated man.

[Claudette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about Father Riley determination to save the street kids in Sydney.

[Ann-maree]

An astonishing story of courage, dedication, and the stirring triumph of hope and determination against all the odds. Mean Streets, Kind Heart: the Father Chris Riley Story is an inspirational tale of how one man can touch so many lives. Australian streetkids are the forgotten underclass of society, an ever-increasing pool of children who are often abused, frequently in the clutches of drug dealers, and usually engaged in crime just to make enough money to stay alive. their childhood dreams of a happy, loving future are lost forever. this book tells of Father Riley's faltering first steps towards helping such children, and his determination to pledge the rest of his life to giving them back their dreams. It tells of the heartbreaking situations he's witnessed, the touching tales of kids with nothing left but their own will to survive, and the way he's been able to touch so many of their lives. throughout the triumphs and the tears is Father Riley's inimitable humour, his sense of fun, and the indomitable spirit that has entranced so many of the kids he's helped.