Catholic campaign helps break the cycle of poverty

Several weeks ago, the United States Census Bureau released new national poverty figures for the past year and the news was not good. In the United States, higher unemployment has resulted in an increase of 1.7 million people living in poverty over a year ago. Right now, in America, 34.6 million men, women and children are living below the poverty line.

As their futures fall, so does the future of our nation. Despite the huge number, however, surveys show that most Americans have no sense of the enormity of the problem. Nor do they understand the root causes of poverty and lasting solutions.

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), established 33 years ago by the Catholic Bishops of the United States, provides both funding and education to promote permanent and effective solutions to poverty in the United States. CCHD is funded by an annual collection during the third weekend of November in most parishes throughout the country. This year, the collection will take place in parishes throughout the New Ulm diocese the weekend of November 22-23. This collection is the primary source of funds for CCHD and through the generosity of Catholic parishioners, it is succeeding in its quest to awaken the consciences of people of good will to the scandal of poverty within this, the richest of nations, and to also fund programs that help those living in poverty help themselves.

Since 1970, CCHD has been effective because it funds hundreds of projects across the country initiated and led by the poor. CCHD gives a "hand up," not a "handout." CCHD projects create jobs, improve neighborhoods, train adults for employment at a living wage, keep schools safe and enriching for children, and develop leaders for the future. It is the nation's largest private funder of projects that empower the poor and work to eliminate poverty and injustice in the United States. All funds received are used solely for the support of CCHD's anti-poverty mission. CCHD abides by the charitable standards set by a leading donor advisory service.

For further information about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, visit www.usccb.org/cchd.