The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops. Its mission is to address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education. In the Archdiocese of Hartford, it is administered by the Archdiocesan Office of Urban Affairs.
For information about national grants, click here. The deadline for applications to the Local Catholic Campaign for Human Development are due by May 1 each year. Quarterly reports are due on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. Note: JFI recipients complete this form instead.
CCHD makes grants for community organizing and for community economic development. Organizing grants are made to groups with at least 50% low income persons on the Board of Directors who are directly affected by the problem they wish to solve. Their goal must be to change a law or institution or to create a new one. Economic development grants must further the development of worker-owned businesses, usually cooperative businesses employing 2 or more persons.
Current grantees include: Acorn (Hartford), the Caring Families Coalition (statewide),Connecticut Environmental Justice Coalition (Hartford and New Haven); Interfaith Coalition for Equity and Justice, Hartford; the Naugatuck Valley Project, Public Housing Resident Network of the CT Housing Coalition and United Action. See details here.
CCHD also provides a variety of excellent justice education materials for youth and adults. See the acclaimed website, Povertyusa.org.
CCHD is funded with the gifts of Catholics who contribute each year to a collection taken up on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
Parishes wishing to learn more about the Campaign or to participate in the work of a CCHD-funded group can ask for assistance from Patricia Wallace.
Cooperative Parish Sharing | Action For Justice | Environmental Justice | Parish Social Ministry
