Catholic Campaign for HUman Development (CCHD)

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 handout.

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 assisting low-income people, families, and communities.  

By Jenny Michaelson

“There is an inseparable bond between our faith and the poor. May we never abandon them.” (the Joy of the Gospel, 48)

You can be a part of breaking the cycle of poverty in the United States by contributing to the efforts of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the domestic anti-poverty program of the United States Catholic Bishops. This Campaign participates in carrying out the mission of Christ to “bring good news to the poor, liberty to captives, new sight to the blind, and to set the downtrodden free.” (Luke 4:18)

The collection is the weekend of November 16th and 17th in your parishes throughout our Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau, coinciding with Pope Francis’ designation of the World Day of the Poor.  

For more than 50 years, the Catholic Campaign For Human Development (CCHD) has provided funding to groups whose activities reflect Catholic moral and social teaching on human life and dignity. CCHD-funded groups empower people who live in poverty to make permanent changes for themselves and their communities, and they work to change social structures and policies that undermine life and dignity, especially for the poor and powerless. 

“Since beginning its work in 1970, CCHD has awarded over $440 million in grants supporting nearly 12,000 community-based, grassroots-led organizations. These projects aim to improve lifestyles and promote financial stability through fair housing, education, accessible health care and childcare, and vocational training. CCHD-funded groups tackle a wide range of economic and social justice challenges that affect local communities in rural and urban areas.”* 

In Alaska, CCHD funding has supported organizations such as the Justice Organizing Interfaith Network in Anchorage and the Mat-Su, Sitka Food Cooperative, and The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) throughout the State.  In addition, CCHD funding has offered our Archdiocese the opportunity to sponsor a CCHD intern to develop a greater understanding of this initiative of the Bishops and Catholic Social Teaching for both them and the people of the Archdiocese. 

CCHD is an example of how the Catholic community reaches out to involve and support people who are poor in acting together to improve their lives, overcome injustice, and escape poverty. CCHD is a sign of how the Church lives out the call from Scripture and Tradition to give special concern and priority to the needs of those who are poor and vulnerable. 

It is alarming that nearly 38 million Americans, including over 15% of children, live below the poverty line. Many of these fellow Americans are considered “working poor,” meaning they work but do not make enough money to cover essentials like housing, health care, childcare, and food. 

This collection supports those living in poverty across the country by funding programs that empower local communities to address the challenges they face. In addition, 25% of the funds we collect remain in our diocese to fund local anti-poverty projects. 

By supporting this collection, you are giving hope and opportunity to those on the margins.  You can also give online through the National Collections office online giving platform at https://usccb.igivecatholictogether.org/

To learn more about CCHD and how it upholds the moral and social teaching of the Catholic Church go to https://www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-campaign-human-development ;
To donate online, go to www.usccb.org/committees/catholic-campaign-human-development
To learn more about poverty in the U.S. go to http://www.povertyusa.org

*Information provided by the USCCB