IndexShepard's take on the project:My thoughts on this projectWhat can I doWorks CitedShepard's take on the project:Does the American Dream still exist? After reading Barbara Ehrenreich's famous Nickel and Dimed, Adam Shepard became frustrated in accepting the hopeless future of the American working class. He wanted to prove that you can create something from nothing and prove that the American dream is still achievable. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To prove that the American Dream still exists, he set a goal of getting a car, living in a furnished home, and having $2,500 after use. year without using any of his previous contacts and work history. All just to prove that hard work is a way out of poverty and that America is a promising place for low-income people, he decided to live homeless. Of course, by the end of the year, he was able to achieve his version of the American dream by owning a working car, a furnished apartment, and a total of $5,000 in cash. Shepard takes advantage of every possible help he can get like no one else. Throughout his book, he talks about how he was surprised to learn about the services available so the homeless can get back on track. Shelters assigned homeless people to social workers who help them and guide them to start their lives again (Shepard 34). Caseworkers also provide clothing to exchange with Goodwill, a towel and a bar of soap, coupons, and a letter to give to the Department of Social Services to allow for food stamps (Shepard 34). They provide a place to stay, a place to clean, and a place to eat. Shepard concludes that showing a good attitude and setting a goal are the most critical factors in improving one's life status. After one of his social workers, Kazia, advises him to set a goal and take initiative, Shepherd and his friend James think of a woman who was homeless, but found her way out of poverty by focusing on his target (Shepard 90). Convinced that he can also succeed in ending poverty, Shepard focuses on finding permanent work. Shepard initially had trouble finding steady work because he lived in the shelter and didn't show enough desperation to interviewers. After his friend gave him advice on how to display a more aggressive attitude, Shepard was able to settle into the real world and was finally able to find a steady job (Shepard 93). In the end, he achieved his goal and proved that his version of the American dream is possible. His dedication and clear goals with the help of his surrounding environment allowed him to achieve the goal of this project, which is the result of his belief that America is still one of the promising countries for the working class. My Thoughts on This Project Although Shepard started with just $25 and a blank resume, he had few advantages: good health and no debt to repay. Not everyone starts in the same place. As Sophie Jaggie, blogger at JOIN, a support group for those experiencing homelessness, explains, people become homeless for many different reasons: mental or medical problems, the result of a catastrophic event or sudden life change (Jaggi) . It is likely that one is physically or mentally unable to work or that one has to pay off one's debts and interest instead of saving to start a new life. Shepard was healthy enough to work and had no debts to repay. To Shepard, this was nothing more than a project,, 2008.