| Whether it's helping chicken farmers and poultry workers in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia fight for better working conditions, supporting a Chicago neighborhood-development program to rebuild schools and combat gang activity, or helping airport workers earn a living wage in Los Angeles, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is helping residents of America's forgotten state break free from poverty.
Since 1970 when it was established by the
U.S. Catholic bishops, CCHD has assisted people
to rise out of poverty through empowerment programs
that foster self-sufficiency. Through private
donations and annual parish collections, CCHD
has offered more than $270 million in support
to nearly 4,000 self-help projects developed
by grassroots groups of poor people in all 50
states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico
and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Grants are awarded
on the basis of need, not religious affiliation.
Each year CCHD distributes national grants to more than 300 community-based projects that improve neighborhoods, educate children, create jobs and more. In addition, hundreds of smaller projects are funded through the 25% share of the annual CCHD collection retained by dioceses. These projects have helped low-income people to change their lives by creating opportunity where none existed before and providing the means for poor people to find solutions to their community's problems.
This year, to bring more attention to this forgotten state, we have designated January as Poverty in America Awareness Month. It is a time to reach out to students, teachers, families and others, to raise consciousness and encourage action to help the 37 million Americans who struggle daily in the grip of poverty.
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the
numbers...
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1
in 10 families |
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1
in 6 children |
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37
million Americans live in poverty |
the
goals...
To
promote a spirit of solidarity among those
who are successful, those who have acquired
some share of this nation's goods, and
those still trapped in poverty.
the
mission...
The
CCHD philosophy emphasizes empowerment
and participation for the poor. By helping
people to take a meaningful role in the
decisions and actions that affect their
lives, CCHD empowers poor people to move
beyond poverty. |
success
stories...
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