The issues were jobs, justice and education. The theme was unity.

As Americans of different races, genders, age and religion took turns reciting parts of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, the theme of the “One Nation Working Together” rally in Washington, D.C. became clear. Americans would have to unite to overcome the country’s problems.

ONE NATION—From left: Wealthy Blankeney, Gwendolyn West-Sutton and Charon Bonds from the Philadelphia SEIU and Philadelphia branch of the NAACP cheer on the speakers at the rally in Washington, D.C. (Photo by J.L. Martello).

“Dr. King loved this nation. He saw that this great nation should not be allowed to perish. This rally here today is America’s wake up call,” said entertainer and activist Harry Belafonte, who marched with Dr. King. “We must awaken the apathetic Americans. Americans know that Dr. King’s dream is not dead.”

A year and a half ago Bryan and Julie McCabe and their daughters Kyra and Sierra were living in Wexford looking to buy a home closer to his job in Pittsburgh—now he can walk to work.

At that same time, demolition of the Garfield Heights Apartments forced Tiffany McGinnis, her son Germal McCray Jr. and daughter Tayshia McCray to search for a new home. Now they are neighbors—in Homewood. Though neither planned it, they are helping to rebuild the neighborhood, while they build their lives as homeowners on Susquehanna Street.

NEW NEIGHBORS—Homeowners on Susquehanna Street in Homewood enjoy a beautiful fall day from their front porches. (Photo by J.L. Martello)

They were among the first four families to buy in what will eventually be a 30-home complex within walking distance of Faison Elementary School. Of the 10 built to date, all are occupied.

by Erin Perry

Family and friends gathered on the 1000 block of South Avenue in Wilkinsburg, the scene of a homicide that took the life of 17-year-old Jason Paylor, a promising science student. Paylor was honored in a vigil that was meant to bring a solution to a community that has seen repeated tragedy and violence.

THE FACE OF GRIEF—Jada Felder stands with the crowd of mourners at the vigil for Jason Paylor. (Photo by Erin Perry).

“We must stop the wreaking of violence that is taking lives daily and must somehow regain sanity,” said Adrienne Young, founder of the Tree of Hope, a faith-based organization that provides support for families who experience a sudden and tragic loss of loved ones. She stood huddled beside Lisa White, the mother of slain youth, as she cried a mother’s grief for a lost son whose potential can only be imagined. “We hope that someone will speak out and provide information about who did this,” said Lateik Hughes, cousin of Paylor. “Why did he have to leave us like this.”

by Rachell Zoll

(AP)--A new survey of Americans’ knowledge of religion found that atheists, agnostics, Jews and Mormons outperformed Protestants and Roman Catholics in answering questions about major religions, while many respondents could not correctly give the most basic tenets of their own faiths.

Forty-five percent of Roman Catholics who participated in the study didn’t know that, according to church teaching, the bread and wine used in Holy Communion is not just a symbol, but becomes the body and blood of Christ.