‘STAND IN SOLIDARITY’

Catholics invited to support U.S. bishops’ anti-poverty efforts on World Day of the Poor

The U.S. bishops launched Catholic Campaign for Human Development in 1969 to help poor and marginalized people address the roots of poverty in their own neighborhoods. (Courtesy photo of Carlos A. Moreno)

WASHINGTON — At Masses on the weekend of Nov. 14-15 — the World Day of the Poor — and in the Diocese of Albany on the weekend of Nov. 21-22, Catholics across the United States will be invited to give to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. bishops.

“Created in the image of God, every person has inherent dignity and the capacity to contribute to the flourishing of their families and communities. Our faith calls us to stand in solidarity with people experiencing poverty, supporting their leadership as they work to address the root causes of poverty and build a better future,” said Bishop Timothy C. Senior of Harrisburg, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. “Through CCHD, the Church puts this commitment into action, accompanying communities as they work toward a future in which all people can flourish.”

The U.S. bishops launched CCHD in 1969 to help poor and marginalized people address the roots of poverty in their own neighborhoods. The grants CCHD provides support community and economic development, including worker-owned businesses and community-owned real-estate projects. Organizations that receive CCHD grants do not have to be Catholic, but they each receive approval from the local bishop and must adhere to Catholic moral and social teaching, including respect for human life from conception until natural death and a commitment to the dignity of people experiencing poverty.

This year, 88 grants totaling nearly $3.5 million are being used to strengthen marginalized communities, advocate for workers, improve access to affordable housing, create good jobs, defend the rights of immigrants, reform the criminal justice system and protect the environment. A quarter of all funds collected for CCHD at Mass will remain in that diocese for local anti-poverty initiatives.

Among the CCHD grant recipients funded this year and featured in this year’s campaign are:

X Childspace Daycare Centers, Inc., in Philadelphia, a worker-owned cooperative, which provides good jobs, affordable childcare, and a stable environment for children.

X La Señoras, an organization comprised of Spanish-speaking families in Idaho who have children with developmental disabilities, working together to navigate complex social services.

X People’s Self-Help Housing, Inc., which trains and uses union labor to renovate dilapidated housing and build new homes for marginalized community members in Lewis County, Ky.

X Restorative Justice Mediation Program in California, which prevents crime and builds community through victim-offender dialogue, reconciliation, prison-based education, diversion of young offenders, and re-entry preparation for people returning from incarceration.

“Every year, Catholics have an opportunity to put our faith into action through the CCHD collection,” Bishop Senior said. “Their generosity supports people working together to overcome poverty, strengthen their communities and build a future in which every person can live with dignity and flourish.”

For those who cannot give at Mass, they can support CCHD’s national efforts online through #iGiveCatholic at https://www.igivecatholic.org/USCCB-CCHD.