Adam Shepard traces his efforts to rise from homelessness and find a life of success in order to prove that the American Dream still exists. As Shepard attempts to find what work he can while staying in a Charleston, South Carolina homeless shelter, he finds that his quest is more difficult than he imagined and comes to rely on his fellow shelter residents for inspiration and advice.

Introduction : July 24-setting up -- Welcome to Crisis Ministries -- Easylabor -- Another day, another dollar -- Big babies -- Sundays with George -- Hustle time -- Job hunting 101 with Professor Phil Coleman -- Put up or shut up -- "First and last day" -- Adventure in moving -- Movin' on up -- Workers' consternation -- Winter with bubble gum -- Culture shocked -- Fighting for respect -- One last move -- Epilogue : a year later: a didactic look at what I learned and where we go from here.