USCCB Announces Youth Art Contest, Invites Nominations for Young Adult Award

WASHINGTON—The Department of Justice, Peace and Human Development of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has released materials for two programs targeted to youth and young adults, the Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award and the Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest. Both are sponsored by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the domestic anti-poverty initiative of the U.S. bishops.

The Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Awardis given annually to a Catholic young adult between the ages of 18 and 30 engaged in efforts to end the root causes of poverty in the United States. The annual winner is recognized at the bishops’ November meeting in Baltimore. The nomination form and profiles of past winners are available at old.usccb.org/campus/bernadin-award.shtml.

Through the Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest,youth in grades 7 to 12 learn about poverty, its causes, and the Church’s response, then create art to teach others what they have learned. The 2011-2012 contest theme is Put Faith in Action! Uproot Poverty Together. Contest packets for young artists, educators at Catholic schools and parishes, youth ministers, and diocesan staff are available at old.usccb.org/artcontest. The national grand prize winner will be honored at the annual conference sponsored by the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry.

For more information, contact Jill Rauh at (202)541-3297.