Once Upon a School - by Kate Kennedy (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

What do you do when you see something you can't ignore? That's what happened to Kate Kennedy one day as she drove down the Courtland Street corridor in Atlanta, Georgia. After that day, she could not look away. Once Upon a School shares the story of a stay-at-home mom of four who ignited a wave of community change by building a school to serve children without housing. One dollar and one day at a time, Kate pushed against all odds to build a program that cares for the most vulnerable children. In the process, she learned more about herself than she ever imagined . . . even when it all began to fall apart.

With humor and vulnerability, Kate shares the story of challenging the status quo and digging deep into her own story to find connection, hope, and new answers to old problems.

Once Upon a School is a story of racial inequity, generational poverty, and finding community in the most unlikely places. It's about building a school, standing up for children, and finding your place in the world. As the story unfolds, Kate invites readers to challenge themselves and their own communities through the lenses of social impact, personal growth, and theology.

Once Upon a School is about daring to dream big and learning to bounce back. This journey reminds us, writes Kate, that "we all have the capacity to make lasting community change in our own unique ways if we can find the strength and courage to take the first step and keep on walking."

Review Quotes

"Arguably, the most joyful of human experiences is pouring your soul into the lives of those who are fragile and vulnerable or troubled who will have a future because you care. This page-turner of a narrative tells the story of just such self-giving: a white woman of privilege is inspired to invest her life into the responsibility each of us is assigned -- repairing the world, tikkun olam. Mistakes are made; a heart is broken; someone has to begin again. It is, however, a story of redemption, brimming over with hope and light. I heartily recommend it."

-The Rev. Ed Bacon, author of 8 Habits of Love

"If you've ever wondered if one person with a dream can spark a revolution; if you've ever wondered how to bounce back after loss; if you've ever wondered if love really does win...Kate Kennedy's book will give you hope and nudge you to be the change you want to see in the world."

-The Rev Canon Stephanie Spellers, Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation under Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, author of The Church Cracked Open

"Kate Kennedy takes us into her world as she does the impossible-creates a tuition free private school for children who have experienced homelessness in Atlanta. The "how" she did it is as fascinating as the "why" she did it. Kate inspires us all to not just be "do-gooders" but to be "change-makers."

-Kathy Izard, author of The Hundred Story Home, The Last Ordinary Hour, and Trust the Whisper

"Kate Kennedy built a school, from scratch, and that's as hard as it sounds. You will laugh, scratch your head, and wonder at how easily things can come together and maybe even more easily, fall apart. More importantly, if you wonder if you can do something that matters in the world, read this book."

-The Reverend Winnie Varghese, Rector, St. Luke's Episcopal Church Atlanta; author of Church Meets World