Catholic Campaign for Human Development

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MISSION AND IDENTITY
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops, working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ "... to bring good news to the poor ...  release 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.

CCHD has a complementary mission of educating on poverty and its causes. This strategy of education for justice and helping people who are poor speak and act for themselves reflects the mandate of the Scriptures and the principles of Catholic social teaching.

CCHD provides the Catholic faithful with concrete opportunities to live out the love of God and neighbor in ways that express our baptismal call and continuing Eucharistic transformation. CCHD is made possible by the generous support of Catholics in the United States, especially through an annual parish collection.

CCHD is an essential part of the Church in the United States' social mission, and a unique part of the Catholic community's broad commitment to assist low-income people, families and communities.

MISSION
To address the root causes of poverty in America through promotion and support of community-controlled, self-help organizations and through transformative education.
Founded in 1969, CCHD's pastoral strategy is empowerment of the poor through a methodology of participation and education for justice, leading toward solidarity between poor and non-poor as impelled by the Church's biblical tradition, modern Catholic social teaching, and the pervasive presence of poverty in the United States. This ministry for justice is rooted in our baptism and faith commitment.
The grants, economic development, and education for justice programs of the Campaign, implemented in collaboration with local dioceses, are supported from an annual collection in U.S. Catholic parishes.
-Approved by the USCCB-CCHD Committee, November 1992

CATHOLIC CAMPAIGN FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT MANDATE
The subcommittee is under the direction of, and acts in the name of the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development in advancing the social mission of the Church through the U.S. bishops anti-poverty campaign. The Catholic Campaign for Human Development, in its mission of education, poverty awareness, capacity- and constituency-building, and in supporting and promoting its grants organizations of low-income communities.

This mandate includes the following areas of particular responsibility: On their own authority, approve grants in accordance with donor intent, and works collaboratively with the Committee on National Collections for the promotion and distribution of the annual appeal. Accountable to the standing committee for the use of funds related to the Appeal.

Key Mission Responsibilities
Assists the standing committee to develop national awareness of domestic poverty issues and the needs of those served by Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

1. Promotes and supports community-controlled, self-help anti-poverty organizations, especially supporting, through its programs and grants, a sense of ownership among the poor to take on the challenges of bettering their lives and opportunities.
2. Acts in the name of the standing committee to coordinate, administer and approve the grant process for Catholic Campaign for Human Development appeal.
3. In collaboration with Committee on National Collections, supports year-round promotion and outreach activities through established diocesan networks to realize an annual increase in collection revenues for the appeal.
4. Ensures accountability to the Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development in the use of funds.
5. Reviews grantee reports to ensure that they fulfill requirements and develops annual report to donors and to the standing committee.
6. Assists the Committee on National Collections to explore and support the development of other non-collection sources of revenue.
7. Assists the Committee on National Collection develop best practices for promotion and use of funds.

Key Mission Relationships

1. With the Committees on Domestic Justice and Human Development, National Collections and other USCCB Committees at the request of the standing committee.
2. With bishops and diocesan offices for the Appeal.
3. With grantee dioceses, parishes, and local organizations.
4. With national and international organizations at the request of the committee

TRUTH ABOUT CCHD

• As the official national anti-poverty program of the bishops in the United States, CCHD is governed and overseen by the bishops, accountable to the bishops, and operates at the highest levels of fidelity to Church teaching, integrity and transparency.
• CCHD is pro-life, pro-family, and pro-community and will never do anything to undermine that commitment.
• CCHD monitors every award recipient through an exacting reporting process and works jointly with individual dioceses to ensure each group’s harmony with authentically Catholic sensibilities. Every year, each group’s grant receives the formal written endorsement of the local bishop.
• Justice requires that CCHD investigate with due diligence any claim that a funded group may be engaged in activities contrary to Catholic teaching. However, prudence recommends that repetitious claims originating from the same sources as in years past be considered with reasonable skepticism based on a consistent track record of misreporting.
• Any credible allegation is thoroughly investigated by CCHD in partnership with the local diocese. In the case of any group that engages in activities contrary to Catholic teaching, the situation will be rectified quickly, responsibly and charitably in deference to the local Ordinary.
  Source: USCCB

General Grant Information

ARCHDIOCESE OF BOSTON COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Rev. Francis J. Cloherty
Sr. Bárbara Gutiérrez, SNDdeN
Deacon Timothy F Donohue - Diocesan Director
Monsignor J. Bryan Hehir
Very Rev. William P. Joy
Hon. Antoinette McLean Leoney (Ret.)
Rev. Gerald G. Osterman - Chair
Mr. Joseph Vallely

VIDEOS

• The Web of Poverty
• How the CCHD Transforms Lives
• ¡Apoye a CCHD y ayude a los que se viven en la periferia
• Meet Mary: About the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)
• CCHD: A living example of the works of mercy
• CCHD Archdiocese of Hartford

PRAYERS

• Prayer for Peace: Collective Votive Mass for the Progress of Peoples
• 2022 Prayer Card in English
• 2022 Prayer Card in Spanish

RESOURCES
Catholic Identity PDF

SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter - @PovertyUSA_CCHD