Published on November 2, 2015
The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) exists to enable the Catholic Church to fund grassroots organizations working directly with people most in need to address systemic change, and in New Orleans CCHD is funding four organization seeking to alleviate root causes of poverty and crime in the Metro New Orleans area. Parishioners and anyone wanting to make a difference can do so through the upcoming second collection in Catholic parishes on November 21st and 22nd.
Funds raised on these days will benefit four projects that directly address the root causes of poverty: the New Orleans Master Crafts Guild, The Micah Project, Families and Friends of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children and the Northshore Housing initiative Community Land Trust.
The New Orleans Master Crafts Guild offers an apprenticeship program through which young people can learn trades such as blacksmithing, carpentry, masonry and welding.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn a trade, to make a living and to develop my skills as a blacksmith while improving myself as a person,” says Don Le, an apprentice who will soon graduate from the Guild program.
Grantees The Micah Project and Families and Friend of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children both address mass incarceration through youth development. The Northshore Housing Initiative Community Land Trust, a first time grantee, employs low-income construction workers to build affordable housing.
“Addressing poverty with a multi-pronged approach – teaching skills, empowering youth and creating jobs – is the most effective way to break the cycle of poverty in our community,” says Tom Costanza, Division Director for Catholic Charities.
The CCHD directly address Louisiana’s 19.8% poverty rate by developing the region’s workforce through training programs and equipping young people to fill good quality jobs.
All funds raised through the local second collection are sent to the CCHD national office to be regranted after an extensive review process back to the local community. To learn more about the CCHD, call (504) 874-7829 or visit povertyUSA.org.
