In the Springfield diocese, the CCHD is sponsored by the diocesan Office for Social Concerns. According to Sister Jane Boos, SSND, director of the office, “The Catholic Campaign for Human Development represents, in a very real way, the Catholic Church living out the Gospel in action and solidarity with the poor. Good self-help projects can help eliminate the causes of poverty for individuals. We encourage organizations that provide this kind of assistance to apply for funding through the CCHD.”

The economic crisis in the United States has left many Americans without security, Sister Jane noted — the security of having a job, the security of having health care, or the security of having a sufficient retirement fund. For the 37 million Americans who have been living in poverty, these kinds of security have always been out of reach, and the current crisis has amplified their struggles. For nearly 40 years, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development has helped the poor fight for fair wages, affordable housing, and access to health care, she said.

In the past, CCHD grants in the Springfield diocese have been used for programs that supported fair housing, after-school programs, families/women/children and safe neighborhoods. CCHD uses funds raised nationally in a once-a-year collection in November in Catholic parishes to fund innovative, grassroots projects all over the country.

Organizations within the Catholic Diocese of Springfield in Illinois that work with poor and low-income people to help eliminate the root causes of poverty are eligible to apply for financial support through the CCHD. Eligible organizations must be located in the diocese and have a 501(c)(3) certificate. Organizations that receive CCHD funds must not participate in or promote activities that contradict the moral and social teachings of the Catholic Church. Organizations that support or promote for example, capital punishment, abortion, euthanasia, racism, war, discrimination or same-sex marriage are not eligible for CCHD funding.

Local grant applications must be post-marked by March 15, 2010. Background, criteria, guidelines and instructions, as well as the local grant application are available on the local CCHD Web site www.dio.org/socialconcerns or by e-mail at or writing the Office for Social Concerns, Catholic Pastoral Center, 1615 W. Washington Street, P.O. Box 3187, Springfield, IL 62708-3187. By telephone, call (217) 698-8500, ext. 167. The average grant is $500 to $1,500, and typically does not exceed $2,500. Contributions can also be sent to the above address at any time.