Catholic Campaign for Human Development National Collection Coming up November 17-18

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s national collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is slated for November 17-18, the weekend before Thanksgiving. The collection is taken up in parishes and dioceses nationwide.

WASHINGTON— The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop’s national collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is slated for November 17-18, the weekend before Thanksgiving. The collection is taken up in parishes and dioceses nationwide. “Fight poverty. Defend human dignity,” is the theme of this year’s collection.

CCHD helps others to help themselves. It promotes programs that break the cycle of poverty. Its initiatives enable low-income people to participate in the decisions that affect their families and communities.

The annual national collection is the primary source of funding for CCHD’s anti-poverty grants and education programs. For over 40 years, the CCHD has funded organizations that address the root causes of poverty.“More than 46 million Americans live in poverty in the United States. With continuing unemployment and increasing costs of living, many families must make hard choices between necessities like health care, child care, and even food,” said Bishop Jaime Soto of Sacramento, California, chairman of the USCCB’s Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. 

“With its focus on long-term solutions, CCHD’s approach is an essential complement to the vital work of our Catholic schools, Catholic Charities agencies, pro-life activities, and other direct assistance programs for those in need.”

The Indianapolis Congregation Action Network (IndyCAN) is an example of groups funded by CCHD. It was established in 2011 to develop leadership, increase civic participation, and improve conditions for vulnerable and low-income people in Marion County, Indiana. With support from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and grant assistance from the campaign, IndyCAN has quickly become an effective vehicle to channel the social justice efforts of 28 parishes and congregations, currently representing 25,000 people.

During the 2011-2012 grant cycle, the campaign put just over $8 million dollars into community efforts to promote human dignity and fight poverty. Twenty-five percent of each CCHD collection’s proceeds stay in the local dioceses where funds are collected to fight poverty as well as foster “liberty and justice for all” in their local communities. Every year, CCHD uses the collected funds to carry out the mission of Jesus and announce the gospel of life to all.

More information about the Collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and other national collections is available online: www.usccb.org/about/national-collections
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Keywords: CCHD, Catholic Campaign for Human Development, human dignity, poverty, national collections, Bishop Jaime Soto, USCCB, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

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