CCHD annual collection to aid families in poverty

The annual Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, will once again support initiatives that empower families and communities to break the cycle of poverty across the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City.

Each year, the national and local CCHD offices provide grants to organizations and parishes working to address the root causes of poverty through programs that uphold the dignity of every person and foster community transformation rooted in faith.

This year, two Oklahoma-based initiatives received grants from the national CCHD office:

• RestoreOKC was awarded funding to expand its Restore OKC Youth Internship Program, an innovative initiative providing young people with leadership development, faith formation, and practical job skills while serving their community.

• Fertile Ground received a national CCHD grant to support its Potting Soil Project, which promotes sustainability and faith-based community development through environmental stewardship.

The Archdiocese of Oklahoma City also distributed local CCHD grants to parishes and community partners serving families in need across central and western Oklahoma. This year’s recipients include:

• Saint Patrick Catholic Church – grant to support new signage and summer retreats for Vagabond Missions, an outreach organization sharing the Gospel with young people by raising up and sending out missionary disciples.

• Archdiocese of Oklahoma City – grant to support youth participation in the Steubenville Youth Conference.

• Rose State College – support for community service and student engagement initiatives.

• First Presbyterian Church – grant to improve the Community Garden Project.

• Saint Matthew Catholic Church – funding for a three-door commercial freezer to enhance its parish food ministry.

• Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church – support for the parish’s Biblican School adult faith formation program.

• Saint Patrick Catholic Church – additional grant to support the Catholic Homeschool Co-Ed program.

• Christ the King Catholic Church – funding for the Saint Martin Mabel Bassett Prison Ministry, serving incarcerated women through faith and fellowship.

• OKC Women’s Sanctuary Development Center – grant for new shelving to expand its resource and outreach center.

• The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help – support for Educational Nutrition and Social Activities to strengthen parish outreach.

• Culinary Camp: Nutrition and Faith – funding for a program combining faith formation with food education and service.

Continuing the Mission

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development embodies the Church’s call to live out the Gospel through action and advocacy. By supporting these grants, the faithful of the archdiocese help ensure that families have access to opportunities for growth, empowerment, and hope.

“The CCHD collection is a powerful expression of our shared commitment to justice and human dignity,” said Chris Engel, director of CCHD. “Each grant reflects the mission of the Church to walk with those in need and to invest in lasting change.”

The CCHD collection will take place in parishes across the archdiocese on Nov. 22 and 23. To learn more, contact Chris Engel, director of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development at (405) 523-3000, Ext. 245.

Photo: (Above) Chris Engel (left) and Cici Pham, CCHD summer intern, presented a check to Debbie MacDonald of RestoreOKC. Photo provided.

Chris Engel (left) and Cici Pham, CCHD summer intern, presented a check to Deana Ellis, principal, from Bishop John Carroll Catholic High School. Photo provided.