The Center for Poverty Research is at the University of Kentucky. James P. Ziliak, who holds the Gatton Endowed Chair in Microeconomics, is director.

The Center for the Study of Urban Poverty is at the University of California, Los Angeles. The director is Abel Valenzuela Jr., professor of Chicana and Chicano studies, who has expertise in urban poverty and immigration issues.

Julie Tallard Johnson is the author of Spiritual Journaling: Writing Your Way to Independence, published in 2006, and conducts spiritual journaling workshops in Wisconsin.

The Center for the Study of Poverty and Inequality is at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif. Charles Varner is the associate director of the Stanford Center on Poverty and Inequality. Contact through the website.

Mike Lewis is a Christian artist who travels to churches and other groups and paints portraits of Jesus during worship services. He lives in Nashville, Tenn.

The Center for Comparative Family Welfare and Poverty Research is at the University of California Berkeley. The director is Neil Gilbert, Milton and Gertrude Chernin Professor of Social Welfare and Social Services, who wrote Transformation of the Welfare State: The Silent Surrender of Public Responsibility.

Barbie Hunt is an artist who creates paintings, pottery and other works drawn from her own Christian faith and journey. She lives in Madisonville, Ky.

The Carsey School of Public Policy at the University of New Hampshire conducts policy research on vulnerable children, youth and families and on sustainable community development. Michael Ettlinger is the director. Contact Amy Sterndale, communications director.

Chris Tiegreen is the author of Creative Prayer: Speaking the Language of God’s Heart, published in 2007, in which he describes how dance, painting, singing and other activities can be used as prayer. He lives in Atlanta.