Sandra Barnes is a professor of human and organizational development at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., whose research interests include the sociology of religion. She is the author of The Black Mega Church: Framing and Addressing HIV/AIDS and Poverty in the Age of Health and Wealth Theology.

Plant With Purpose is a Christian, environmental non-profit organization that focuses on holistic solutions to poverty, including planting trees, creating economic opportunity through micro-credit and micro-enterprise, implementing sustainable agriculture programs and encouraging spiritual renewal. It is based in San Diego, Calif.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations’ report “The Mosque in America: A National Portrait” (April 2001) broke ground with its focus on American Muslim congregational life.

The Gallup Center for Muslim Studies’ “Muslim Americans: A National Portrait” provides demographic and socioeconomic characteristics of Muslim Americans and measures attitudes.

June 5, 2013, Huffington Post article about Pope Francis’ speech on World Environment Day in which he cited scripture in calling for people to care for the environment and decried the influence of money in the world.

June Manning Thomas is Centennial Professor of Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a Bahá’í author. Her books include Planning Progress: Lessons From Shoghi Effendi.

Temple Beth Am is a Reform congregation in Seattle that has been helping families avoid homelessness since 2004. The congregation’s Homeless 2 Remain helps families secure or maintain safe housing. In collaboration with Jewish Family Services, the congregation provides eviction prevention assistance aimed at keeping families in their homes. Contact is Sue Covey. The congregation […]

The Rev. Jana Drakka is a senior Zen Buddhist priest, calligrapher and community activist. She provides meditation, memorials and harm reduction groups for marginally housed people and those who work with them in San Francisco. She also advocates for the rights of those living in poverty.

The Mental Health Chaplaincy is a Seattle program based at Prospect Congregational United Church of Christ that has trained chaplains walking the city streets looking for vulnerable, mentally ill people who may need assistance. Contact Kae Eaton.