Bishop Tod D. Brown Presents Catholic Campaign For Human Development Awards to
Local Service Organizations Fighting Poverty
ORANGE, CA (July 27, 2012) -- The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) presented $19,000 in annual Grants in a ceremony held at the Marywood Pastoral Center in Orange. Two non-profit service organizations that work with low or no-income populations in Orange County were presented with the grants by the Most Reverend Tod D. Brown, Bishop of Orange.
Funded by donations from Diocese of Orange California parishioners, the annual November Needs collection is a nationwide effort by Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) asking the faithful to donate for both local and national grants that are used to fight poverty. The funds enable those affected to empower themselves through positive social and economic changes.
“Grants are broken into two main areas: Community Organizing and Economic Development” explained Deacon Jim Merle, CCHD diocesan director. “The former works toward the elimination of the root causes of poverty and to enact institutional change. The latter creates income and/or assets for people living in poverty and for their communities,” he said.
2012 Local Grant Award Winners:
CREER Communidad Y Familia of San Juan Capistrano. Their project provides enhanced educational experiences for impoverished youth, having affected hundreds of families increasing students’ graduation rates and acceptance into higher education institutions.
Orange County Congregation Community Organizations (OCCCO) of Fullerton. Their project develops the capacity of low-income parents to better understand Fullerton school district’s decision-making structure and to advocate for increased support services for English-learning students.
Bishop Tod Brown; Joe Soto - President, CREER; Deacon Jim Merle, CCHD Diocesan Director