The Economic Research Service offers state profiles that include income and poverty rates for rural and urban dwellers.

Read a report called “Understanding Katrina: Perspectives from the Social Sciences,” posted on the website of the Social Science Research Council. It examines issues of race and racism revealed by Katrina, and contains the links to writings on the hurricane by more than 35 academics.

Read a June 2, 2006, National Public Radio article about a surge in immigrant day workers helping with the demolition and rebuilding work in New Orleans. These immigrants – undocumented or contract workers – often lack decent housing and food.

Read a June 26, 2006, story from WLOX television about how First Baptist Church of Pass Christian, Miss., is managing to hold Vacation Bible School this summer in a trailer with help from a Baptist church in Florida.

Read the transcript of an April 19, 2006, Online NewsHour show from PBS about how New Orleans’ pastors were preaching Easter sermons about resurrection and new life. The program also describes the financial difficulties of many parishes in the area, the pain it causes when a congregation closes, and how the decision of a parish to hold on and […]

Read a March 15, 2006, story from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America News Service about Katrina’s impact on Lutheran congregations along the Gulf Coast.

GuideStar and other groups track the performance of nonprofit groups – although the relief arms of some faith groups, if they are not separately incorporated, do not qualify.

Read a June 26, 2006, analysis by The New York Times saying that scams and mismanagement related to Katrina relief could cost taxpayers $2 billion.

Read an April 4, 2006, Beliefnet story from a Katrina survivor who writes that “the only thing that keeps me sane is knowing that God has a purpose for me.”