Over The Peanut Fence: Scaling Barriers for Runaway and Homeless Youths

Over the Peanut Fence asks one question--Is eliminating youth homelessness a hopeless endeavor? The search for an answer began when Marilynne Eichinger and her partner, Ray Losey, invited a twenty-year-old street youth into their home. The book tells the story of Zach and the trauma he experienced as a result of childhood abuse and neglect. Raised in poverty, he was the fifth of nine children in a family plagued by drugs and alcohol. He left home at sixteen to seek a better life on the streets. Zach was a survivor and eventually clawed his way from hopelessness to a future filled with possibilities. Along the way he was helped and encouraged by many generous souls. In addition to Zach's emotional climb from poverty, Eichinger interviewed others who's traumatic childhood thrust them to the streets. They tell of unwanted pregnancies, abandonment, molestation, and hunger.They speak of neglect, cruelty and drugs, exemplifying the reasons adolescents run from home. Eichinger devoted years to the study of homelessness, a problem that seems to defy government solutions. In addition to explaining causes, she presents a synopsis of current research on the adolescent brain and explains numerous therapies used to assist troubled youths. The author honors the devotion of caseworkers and volunteers who strive to make a difference by caring, providing hope, and showing ways forward. Eichinger is optimistic that this fight to overcome youth homelessness can be won and gives many suggestions of ways to do so. Part storybook, part memoir, and part analytic study, Over the Peanut Fence shows what is and what will be when society is moved to action.

About the Author :
Marilynne Eichinger has been an active supporter of hands-on learning throughout her career as both a mother and museum professional. Graduating magna-cum-laude from Boston University with an emphasis on anthropology, she went on to receive a master's degree in psychology from Michigan State University. In 1972 Eichinger founded Impression 5 Science Museum in Lansing, Michigan. She left in 1985 to become president of the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), one of the nation's oldest and most renowned science centers. During her tenure she spearheaded building a 250,000 sq. ft facility and workshop on Portland's waterfront. She acquired a submarine from the Navy, installed a large format theater and a planetarium. Eichinger is known for expanding OMSI's traveling exhibit service, education programs, and outreach to those in poverty. She worked with Native-American, African-American, and Hispanic groups to initiate activities that met their needs. With assistance from 22 national museums, Eichinger left OMSI in 1995. She established the nationally circulated Museum Tour Catalog in order to bring educational material to over two million households. Ever mindful of those without means, her company adopted an elementary school serving low-income families. Her business sold in 2014 giving her more time to paint and write. Works of art can be seen on her web site at eichingerfineart.com. In 2016 Eichinger published Lives of Museum Junkies-the Story of America's Hands-On Education Movement. In it she gives a humorous behind the scenes look at the difficulties of developing a large science center. In 2018 she contributed to Homeostasis and Novelty, a compilation for educators by Professor Phyllis Katz, University of Maryland. Eichinger is the mother of five adult children and eight grandchildren. She and her partner reached out to invite a twenty-year-old street youth to live in their home. Over the course of five years the couple mentored the young man, helping him overcome a traumatic childhood. His difficulties along with four years of research into runaways and youth homelessness are the subject of Over the Peanut Fence: Scaling Barriers for Homeless and Runaway Youths.

Review :
". . lucidly written, both intellectually thorough and emotionally affecting. In addition, this isn't a work of ax-grinding political partisanship--Eichinger prefers cool-headed analysis to grandstanding. Further, at the heart of her "part memoir and part story book" is a profound reflection on the ailing condition of American society, withering from the widespread disintegration of the family and the grim plague of "lovelessness." Kirkus Reviews ". . . provides a powerful glimpse into the trauma and abuse that forces young people to run to the streets. Their stories are a call for action to libraries, government, youth agencies, universities, parents, and volunteers to work together to solve this national problem." Pam Sandlian Smith - President: Public Library Association, 2017-2918 ". . . Our country has left a trail of suffering in our well intentioned pursuit of"democracy" in foreign lands; our nation pretends not to see the homelessness on our doorstep, save to complain about it. This stunning book requires you to ask what you can do to help turn trauma into something better. Jack Segal, Counsel General of the U.S. (ret.), Chief Political Adviser to NAtO'S Commander in Afghanistan. ". . . Eichinger has woven her personal narrative and research together with her experience as a science center director to make recommendations for those of us who wonder about the people we see with all of their belongings closely held in parks and other public spaces. I share her confidence in the importance of kinesthetic (hands-on) learning as an alternative for those for whom reading is a challenge." Phillis Katz, Ph.D. Science education, Associate University of Maryland, Founder Hands on Science Program.