Tag Archives: Clarissa Pinkola Estes

March is Reading Month: Toxic Charity and Women Who Run With the Wolves

By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March has been designated as Reading Month. To celebrate and encourage reading, we are asking local officials, residents and WKTV staff and volunteers to tell us about a book that they enjoy. Happy Reading!

Today’s reading selections comes from Starla McDermott, who for the past six years has been serving as the development director for Guiding Light Mission. Since 1929, Guiding Light has been serving the Greater Grand Rapids area with a focus on offering safe and secure shelter for men looking to engage with society. The mission offers the following programs: the Back to Work Program, a short-term housing facility for men who are working or looking for work so they can save for permanent housing; and New Life in Christ, a program for men who are suffering from addiction, homelessness, loss of employment and other issues and they are looking for a new way in life. For more on Guiding Light Mission, visit www.guidinglightworks.org.

Book: Toxic Charity: How the Church Hurts Those They Help and How to Reverse It
Author: Robert D. Lupton
Genre: Christian Literature

Book: Women Who Run with Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype
Author: Clarissa Pinkola Estes
Genre: Self-help

For a work-related book, “Toxic Charity” is a good one. Published in 2011, “Toxic Charity” takes a look at traditional charity models and new ways to help, not sabotage, those that charities are trying to help. My personal favorite is “Women Who Run with Wolves,” which unfolds rich intercultural myths, fairy tales, folk tales, and stories, many from her own traditions, in order to help women reconnect with the fierce, healthy, visionary attributes of this instinctual nature.