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Acknowledgments THIS BOOK WOULD NOT have been possible without the efforts, openness, and patience of many. I would first like to thank all the respondents who gave of their time to share not only the details of their communities , but also their words, ideas, and various understandings of the world. I thank the many people who welcomed me into their homes and offices to share their stories. From them, I learned a great deal about community life, urban dynamics, and the importance of human agency in creating change. I specifically thank John Nicholson, Andy Lowry, Rosalinda Palacios, Rudy Greco, and Sylvia Fava. Thanks to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for sponsoring a nine-city, fourteen-neighborhood study conducted by the Policy Research Action Group and the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities in 1995. This work, directed by Philip Nyden and John Lukehart, paved the way for my own research. Additional thanks go to HUD for awarding me one of fifteen HUD Dissertation Fellowships . This fellowship allowed me to spend significant amounts of time in New York City and Oakland. Thanks also to Roosevelt University for providing me a research leave and the Mansfield Institute for Social Justice for funds to complete the manuscript. Many thanks to friends and colleagues who have helped me along the way. I am forever indebted to Stan Pollock not only for introducing me to the intellectual life and sociology, but for showing me that it is okay to enjoy both. Ken Johnson taught me the rigor required to do social science research properly (all the way to the end). Philip Nyden introduced me to the field of urban studies and provided me numerous opportunities to expand my research and intellectual faculties. Harvey Choldin gets credit for the title. Larry Bennett walked me through the writing process, reading every draft chapter and providing detailed comments, insight, and reassurance. At Roosevelt University, I thank the following people for providing valuable criticism and assistance: Michael Bryson, Heather Dalmage, Jeffrey Edwards, Michael Ensdorf, Douglas Knerr, and Jack Metzgar. I also thank B&P, Steve Serio, and Tony Tlougan for their unwavering support. At Temple University Press, I thank my editor, Peter Wissoker, for his encouragement, reassurance, and humor. I also thank Jennifer French and Bobbe Needham for production assistance. Thanks to family, particularly my parents and brothers, for their support , love, and encouragement. Most importantly I thank Amelia Rulich for entering my life and making it infinitely better. Her love, encouragement , selflessness, and sense of humor are gifts that I cherish every day. Finally, thanks to our daughter, Thais, for reminding me to enjoy each moment and focus on what truly matters. x ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...

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