Overview

As a young man coming of age in Havana in the late 1950s, Oscar Cano was initially intrigued with Fidel Castro, Che Guevara, and the revolution. But along with the revolution came an economy in shambles, government suppression of all political dialogue, widespread poverty, and a lack of basic educational and job opportunities available to most Cubans. Over time, Oscar became disillusioned with what he perceived as even more authoritarianism from Cuba's leadership under Fidel Castro and the violence against political opponents of the revolution. In 1964, at the age of twenty-six, Oscar also decided to leave Cuba. Making his way to the United States was never far from his mind. He abandoned the cargo ship he was working on and arrived in Costa Rica. Homeless and facing an unknown future, what was he thinking? Finally, in 1984, he arrived in Miami with a family in tow. Their journey was far from straightforward, and this gripping family saga lasts several decades. He and his family eventually settled in Baltimore. Oscar is confident that there's some purpose to his life, and he has made good decisions. But his activism to stop a massive development project nearly gets him killed, his daughter's scrambled-up life and his son's tragic accident threaten to topple their lives. An eclectic cast of secondary characters, including a professional basketball player, a classical guitarist, and a young man infatuated with Oscar's daughter, adds depth to the plot. They've all made choices in their lives, and the outcome may surprise.

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Ivan Leshinsky entered the literary world when he published his highly acclaimed memoir in 2021, ""Teaming Up: A Memoir about Sports, Work, Travel, Family, and Neighbors"". Getting There is his first foray into fiction. With immigration still a pivotal issue worldwide, his current venture confronts a significant topic and merits high praise. A native of Brooklyn, NY, the author was awarded a full scholarship to play basketball at Long Island University after high school. He went on to become an integral part of the Blackbirds' 20 straight wins in 1968, including a #1 small college ranking and a run-up to the National Invitational Tournament, college basketball's premier event in the 1960s. Upon graduating with a B.A. in Sociology and Anthropology, he went on to play professionally for three years in Israel and one year in France. Basketball was a springboard to a lifetime of international travel and diverse work experiences, as a waiter, professional basketball player, teacher, taxicab driver, group home director, counselor, recreational therapist, restaurant manager, and coach, all leading up to his 37 years as the Executive Director with a cutting-edge nonprofit organization in Baltimore. He earned an M.A. in special education and became an activist for juvenile justice reform, alternative education programs, and a leader among individuals and organizations striving to improve the city's response to a range of socio-economic and neighborhood failings. In retirement, he has leveraged his experience and energy to establish a new nonprofit organization, the Southwest Sports and Fitness Alliance, with a mission to create pathways for disadvantaged children and youth through sports-based youth development, ultimately leading to meaningful and productive adulthood. He invites you to connect with him at Ivanleshinsky@gmail.com and learn more about his organization at sportsfitnessalliance.org.

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