Over the past couple weeks, church youth groups have done their part to help people in the local community, wielding hammers and paintbrushes at central San Joaquin Valley homes.

Because of the sagging economy, many Valley churches are doing more to work with cash-strapped families this summer, such as cutting prices and offering more scholarships for Vacation Bible School programs.

Two stained-glass windows made in Chartres, France, are part of a special building project at The Shrine of St. Therese near the Tower District.