WHEELING - The same social equality issues that affect the nation as a whole also hit home in Wheeling, according to Pastor Fran Lane-Lawrence of the Laughlin Memorial Chapel.

Lawrence was among those addressing a gathering of local "Freedom School" students and others Friday as part of "National Day of Social Action" activities. The class of students had just marched from Laughlin Chapel to Heritage Port to promote community awareness of the need for healthy children, better education opportunities for the disadvantaged, voter registration and to bring attention to staggering minority incarceration rates.

The need to participate in government and vote this election year was stressed by the group.

Last week in Zanesville, presumptive Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., told of the need to continue federal funding for after-school programs for the poor, such as the "Freedom School," that are run by religious organizations. Obama's presumed opponent in November is U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.

Funded through the Children's Defense Fund, Freedom Schools provide summer and after-school opportunities for at-risk children. These often pertain to nutrition and health, academic enrichment, family involvement and civic engagement.

Lawrence cited figures indicating that at two unnamed local elementary schools, 84 percent and 89 percent of the students qualify for free and reduced lunches. At a local middle school, half the students are eligible for the program.

Laughlin Chapel Bishop Donald Pitts made certain the children sat quietly and listened as the speakers stood before them.

"They're learning a lesson for life," he said. "You don't have to fear standing for social justice. The greatest thing we're teaching them is individual courage, and to stand up for what is right.

"It's all about working together to achieve an end, and they are learning to work together," he added.

Andre Lucious has been an intern with the Freedom School for the past three summers and was himself a Freedom School student when of middle school age. He is now a student at West Virginia Northern Community College, where he majors in human services, social work and juvenile counseling.

"Without the Freedom School, I wouldn't have found my purpose in life - which is assuring the future of the community," he said. "The students greatly benefit from the school. It's very important because they don't have many influences."