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The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Catholic Campaign for Human Development Annual Collection to be held at Parishes the Weekend of November 23, 2019

The annual collection funds grants to help low-income communities break the cycle of poverty

Chicago, IL (November 19, 2019) – The Archdiocese of Chicago’s Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) annual collection will be held at archdiocesan parishes the weekend of November 23-24, 2019. In 1969, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) established CCHD as its domestic program to address the root causes of poverty by funding grants to support community-based programs. The primary source of funding is annual parish collections throughout the U.S. during the third weekend in November. Fifty percent of funds collected during the annual appeal stay in the Archdiocese of Chicago for anti-poverty projects. The other fifty percent is remitted to the national office, which redistributes funds to similar projects in dioceses across the country.

“The teachings of Jesus Christ implore us to protect human dignity and to put the needs of the poor and marginalized first,” said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, archbishop of Chicago. “Through the generous support of our parishioners, CCHD grants provide solutions to the indignities and injustices our vulnerable brothers and sisters bear by giving them greater access to full participation in society.”

CCHD recipients are community groups working to make changes at a local level by developing leaders and giving low-income people a voice in decisions that affect their lives, families and society. The grants are screened and awarded with the approval of Cupich and focus on changing structures that keep people in poverty. They aim to effect economic and community development, job creation, housing, education, workers’ rights, public safety, and advocacy for seniors and people with disabilities.

In 2019/2020, CCHD will support 27 organizations in Cook and Lake Counties with more than $870,000 in grants. The 2019/2020 grant recipients include the following organizations: 

  • Alliance of the SouthEast
  • Arise Chicago
  • Centro de Trabajadores Unidos
  • Chicago Coalition to Save Our Mental Health Centers
  • Chicago Housing Initiative
  • Chicago Workers’ Collaborative
  • Communities United
  • Community Renewal Society
  • Co-op Ed Center
  • Housing Action Illinois
  • Jane Addams Senior Caucus
  • Kenwood Oakland Community Organization
  • Lake County Sponsors

 
  • Latino Union
  • Logan Square Neighborhood Association
  • Lugenia Burns Hope Center
  • Metropolitan Tenants Organization
  • ONE: Northside
  • Pilsen Neighbors Community Council
  • Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation
  • Progress Center for Independent Living
  • St. Agatha Parent and Family Empowerment Initiative
  • South Side Community Federal Credit Union
  • Southwest Organizing Project
  • The People’s Lobby Education Institute
  • Target Area Development Corporation
  • Working Family Solidarity

The annual CCHD appeal follows the commemoration of the World Day of the Poor, observed on November 17, about which Pope Francis has said, “The situation of the poor obliges us not to keep our distance from the body of the Lord, who suffers in them. Instead, we are called to touch his flesh and to be personally committed in offering a service that is an authentic form of evangelization.”

For more information about CCHD and the grant application process, please visit www.CCHDchicago.org.