For 40 years, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) has worked to institute social change in southeastern Wisconsin and on a national level.

Founded in 1969 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States, CCHD is dedicated to addressing the root causes of poverty by empowering the poor and by educating communities about social justice. Based in the tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, CCHD supports efforts to provide a “preferential option for the poor” through promotion of community-based initiatives that enable participation of the poor and non-poor alike in improving their communities.

In this fortieth anniversary year, CCHD continues its mission to confront the causes of poverty. Through donations by Catholics throughout southeastern Wisconsin, who contributed over $200,000 to CCHD this year, CCHD recently provided nearly $70,000 in grants to ten local organizations dedicated to social change in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. Though diverse in their approaches and programs, all seek to empower individuals and communities to find solutions to local poverty.

Congregations United to Serve Humanity (CUSH) received $8,500 to develop grassroots leadership focused on addressing the issues of affordable housing, mental health, and predatory lending in the Kenosha area.

The Dominican Center for Women will use the $8,000 awarded by CCHD to educate families about homeownership and improve neighborhoods in central city Milwaukee.

The $8,000 grant to Layton Boulevard West Neighbors will support their programs to facilitate economic development, increase homeownership, and cultivate active leaders in this south-side neighborhood of Milwaukee.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness’s Friendship Corner in Fond du Lac received $7,800 to provide life and job skill development and to facilitate greater quality of life for adults living with mental illness.

A grant of $5,000 to the Pan-African Community Association will aid its African Women Entrepreneurship program that provides training and assistance to African women in becoming economically self-sufficient.

People First Wisconsin received $6,000 to work for meaningful employment at competitive wages for people with developmental disabilities and to advocate for people with developmental and other disabilities.

Project Return will use its $6,000 grant to further its mission of helping men and women leaving prison make a positive and permanent return to the community through assistance with housing, employment and other needs.

The $4,000 grant to Repairers of the Breach will support the only daytime and self-governed shelter for the homeless in Milwaukee and empower individuals to find solutions to homelessness through the programs and services offered at the shelter.

Sherman Park Community Association received $7,500 to promote the quality of life in the Sherman Park area through forming neighborhood councils to identify and find solutions to issues facing their neighborhood.

Finally, Stewards of Prophetic, Hopeful, Intentional Action (SOPHIA) , an interfaith organization in Waukesha County, was awarded $6,000 to address the need for more affordable housing in its community.

In additional to the local grants, three southeastern Wisconsin organizations received national CCHD grants: Racine Interfaith Coalition, $25,000; Southeastern Wisconsin Common Ground, $40,000; and Voces de la Frontera, $50,000.

July 2009