{"product_id":"the-other-philadelphia-story-how-local-congregations-support-quality-of-life-in-urban-america-the-city-in-the-twentyfirst-century","title":"The Other Philadelphia Story: How Local Congregations Support Quality of Life in Urban America (The City in the Twenty-First Century)","description":"\u003cp\u003eFor people living in U.S. cities  social services come not only from the government but increasingly also from local religious communities. Ever since the Clinton administrations welfare reform  faith-based institutions  and especially congregations  have been allowed to bid for federal funds for their programs. In The Other Philadelphia Story  drawing on the first-ever census of congregations in any American city  Ram Cnaan and his colleagues provide an authoritative account of the functioning of congregations  their involvement in social services  and their support of other charitable organizations.  An in-depth study of 1 392 congregations in Philadelphia  the book illuminates how these groups function as community hubs where members and neighbors alike gather throughout the week. Cnaans findings show that almost every assembly of parishioners emphasizes caring for others  even if the help is modest. Thus American congregations uphold an implicit but strong norm of social responsibility and work to improve the quality of life for members and nonmembers alike.  Many of the problems associated with urban life persist in the face of governmental inaction  and the burden of responsibility cannot be shouldered entirely by congregations. However  in a city such as Philadelphia  where half the residents are regular attenders of religious congregations  hopes for urban improvement are largely to be found in these local groups.  Special focus is given in the book to kinds of care that often go unnoticed: volunteerism  provision of refuge  and informal assistance to community members in need. All told  Cnaan asserts  congregations are an essential component of Philadelphias civil society. Without them  the quality of life would deteriorate immeasurably.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44966805569589,"sku":"ByrdShop_0812239490","price":47.7,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780812239492.jpg?v=1770581441","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-other-philadelphia-story-how-local-congregations-support-quality-of-life-in-urban-america-the-city-in-the-twentyfirst-century","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}