This Way to Hope explores the little-known world of critically at-risk students of color from underserved communities. It explains the harm and unintentional problems created by cyclical, intergenerational dependency on government assistance. Donna Dukes, by way of more than thirty years in the education arena as the Founder and Executive Director of Maranathan Academy, a nonprofit alternative school for critically at-risk students, brings an often overlooked populace into the spotlight and examines the challenges faced by the professions that are on the front lines working to help. Through inspirational success stories, unfiltered honesty, and startling statistics, This Way to Hope:examines the plight of critically at-risk students who have endured unspeakable challenges and have no illusions about life acknowledges the difficulties teachers, social workers, and other professionals face when trying to help the critically at-risk illustrates how effective education techniques, genuine empathy, and zero tolerance for excuses can help students attain hope and become productive members of society