Answer Pope Leo XIV's Call to Offer Signs of Hope to the Poor by Supporting Bishops’ Anti-Poverty Program

Answer Pope Leo’s call to offer signs of hope to the poor this World Day of the Poor on November 16 by supporting the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, whose annual collection in many dioceses equips people experiencing poverty to address the needs in their own communities and strengthens both local and national anti-poverty efforts. If you miss your parish collection or prefer to give online, you can donate through iGiveCatholic.

Give to the CCHD Collection

CCHD: Working on the Margins

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the national anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ "... to bring glad tidings to the poor ...  liberty to captives ...  sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free." (Luke 4:18)

The belief that those who are directly affected by unjust systems and structures have the best insight into knowing how to change them is central to CCHD. CCHD works to break the cycle of poverty by helping low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, families and communities. CCHD offers a hand up, not a hand out.

Read more about CCHD's Mission & Identity

U.S. Bishops Celebrate 50 Years of CCHD

U.S. Bishops Celebrate 50 Years of CCHD

During the November 2021 General Assembly, Bishop David G. O'Connell of Los Angeles, Chairman of the USCCB's Subcommittee on the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, shared inspiring remarks with the full body of bishops to celebrate the 50th...

Pope Francis accepts a hug from a girl as he arrives to celebrate Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican. (CNS photo/Paul Haring)

The future of humanity does not lie solely in the hands of great leaders, the great powers and the elites. It is fundamentally in the hands of peoples and in their ability to organize. It is in their hands, which can guide with humility and conviction this process of change. I am with you. Each of us, let repeat from the heart: no family without lodging, no rural worker without land, no laborer without rights, no people without sovereignty, no individual without dignity, no child without childhood, no young person without a future, no elderly person without a venerable old age.

- Pope Francis, Address at the World Meeting of Popular Movements, Bolivia

CCHD In The News

Catholic News Service profiles the work of St. Peter Claver parish in West Baltimore, whose organizing efforts CCHD supports. The bishops of the United States gathered at this church to celebrate the opening liturgy for the fall General Assembly. Watch the video about their historic and ongoing work for peace and racial justice.

Faced with poor plumbing, broken elevators, bed bug infestations, and other issues, tenants in Chicago work together to partner with management for improved living conditions for low-income residents.

Executive director of the Utah-based Disabled Rights Action Committee pens letter of support for the CCHD Collection, highlighting the importance of CCHD's faith-filled support for advocates with disabilities.

Leaders of St. Vincent de Paul's Reentry Organizing Program, including returning citizens, celebrated the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Rome at a special Mass with Pope Francis for prisoners and those who minister to people in jails and prisons.

CCHD Stories of Hope

Environmental Justice
Learn how CCHD is helping communities support environmental justice. Since 2013, CCHD has invested nearly $2.5 million and partnered with over 35 community-based organizations and 31 dioceses in 22 states to support environmental justice.

Justice for Immigrants
CCHD has invested over $4 million to empower immigrant communities. 

Read more CCHD Stories of Hope on Poverty USA as well as Communities of Salt & Light stories about CCHD funded groups that are making an impact in their local and greater communities.

The Web of Poverty

The Web of Poverty

This new video from PovertyUSA and its mirror site, PobrezaUSA, available in both English and Spanish, which lifts up the experiences of so many brothers and sisters who struggle to make ends meet. In the United States, tens of millions of people live...

Tools & Resources 

"Helping People Help Themselves" Newsletter
Visit our "Helping People Help Themselves" page to find current and back issues of our newsletter highlighting CCHD-supported projects across the country.


Video Library
Visit CCHD's Video Library to see the Poverty Tour and other informational videos.

CCHD Brochure
Basic information on CCHD | En Español
Economic Development
CCHD Economic Development Brochure | En Español
What is CCHD?
Handout: The Gospel in Action | En Español
Review and Renewal
Information on the Review and Renewal of CCHD and the Truth About CCHD