Peace is defined as a tranquil state of mind whether among nations, within countries, at home or within self. To achieve peace, world leaders must balance the thirst for power and territory wish versus the needs of the people. In a spiritual sense, peace brings comfort and strength amid distress. When our spirit is troubled, Paul teaches: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

The 13th Amendment to the United States Constitution provides, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” 4 Incarceration is the state of being confined in prison, typically as punishment for a crime. Thousands of innocent people experience human trafficking which is a form of modern-day slavery, involuntary servitude and labor trafficking.

Although public education in the United States is available to most school-age children, the number of mandatory school years, laws setting mandatory school attendance, and minimum and maximum age limits for required free education vary according to state and local laws. Moreover, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) competency varies greatly by state and local school systems. The U.S. is losing ground to other industrialized nations as shown by students’ declining scores on tests and lack of mastery of essential skills.

Housing is a basic human right; just as every person needs sleep, food and water, all people need a safe place to live. The lack of stable, affordable housing is the foundation of many of America’s social problems, including poverty, homelessness, and disparities in education and health care. There is an eviction crisis in America that is intrinsically tied to housing insecurity because in many cases there are no laws to protect the tenant from unscrupulous landlords. Foreclosures and evictions cause loss of money, possessions, and damages the social fabric of neighborhoods.