Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America

Catholic Charities USA Goes to Congress to Urge Action to Address Poverty

CCUSA President Holds Briefing on Hunger and Testifies to House Subcommittee as Agency Directors from Across the Country Meet with Members of Congress

Today was the busiest single day of activity in Catholic Charities USA's Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, which seeks to cut the U.S. poverty rate in half by 2020. The following events took place on Capitol Hill:

• Briefing on the struggles of 35 million Americans who experience hunger
• Testimony by CCUSA President Rev. Larry Snyder before a House Ways and Means subcommittee on poverty
• Visits to Hill offices by local Catholic Charities agency leaders
• Full-page ad in Roll Call
• Virtual march on Washington in which people from around the country contacted their Members of Congress

Click here to view the entire News Release.
Click here to read Fr. Snyder's testimony to the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Poverty.
Click here to read CCUSA's positions on hunger.

For those of you who participated, please share your experiences below.

Advocacy Manual Available

For more tips on writing letters to the editor and working with the media, check out our new advocacy manual, Taking Action, Catholic Charities USA’s Guide to Effective Advocacy.

Tell Congress We Need a Hunger Free America

Join Our Virtual March on Washington

Congress will soon begin debating the Farm Bill, which includes rules regarding the Food Stamp Program. Food stamps are our nation’s first line of defense against hunger for children and families, working adults, and the elderly. The reauthorization of the 2007 Farm Bill is an opportunity for Congress to take proactive steps toward eliminating the prevalence of hunger in our nation.

WHY A VIRTUAL MARCH?
Catholic Charities Directors from communities across the country will be in Washington on April 26 to meet with legislators about hunger in our nation and what Congress can do about it. At the same time, Catholic Charities USA will be holding a briefing for Members of Congress and their staff on the issue of hunger.

You can join in! Lend your voice and amplify the message to Congress about hunger in America by taking action TODAY!

ACTION NEEDED:
Starting TODAY, click here and enter your zip code for a sample letter that you can customize to send your legislators to ask them to help reduce hunger in America.

BACKGROUND:
Addressing hunger in our nation is a key issue area of Catholic Charities USA’s Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America. Click here for more information on Catholic Charities USA’s positions on hunger.  In addition, Catholic Charities USA works closely with other Catholic organizations on the Farm Bill, including the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholic Relief Services and the National Catholic Rural Life Conference. To read the policy priorities developed by these groups for the 2007 Farm Bill, please visit: http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/projects/200702fbhn.pdf and http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/national/20070201farmbillbck.pdf.

Thank you – your efforts make a difference!

For more information, contact Lucreda Cobbs, Director of Immigration and Special Populations Policy, at or Christin Driscoll, Senior Director for Policy Development and Advocacy.

Into the Pews

Everyone at your parish refers to the parish bulletin as a source of important issues and events on a local level.  We have developed text for a bulletin item or to be printed as a bulletin insert.

Use this bulletin item to show your support of the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America and encourage your local community to get involved.

CCUSA also has brochures available for your parish vestibule.  Email Poverty@CatholicCharitiesUSA.org for materials.

Programs That Address Poverty

Submitted by Carol Peck, Senior Director, Family Services, Catholic Charities USA

Here are some new or innovative services/programs that address poverty taken from the Catholic Charities USA 2005 Annual Survey Results. Tell us about your programs and services that help address poverty issues in your community.

Albuquerque, NM Catholic Charities
“Using Computer ESL Class to Learn About the World of Work” is an innovative program at Catholic Charities in Albuquerque which serves low-income, underrepresented, underserved residents of Albuquerque’s South Valley. The program assists adults in obtaining English speaking, reading, and writing skills in conjunction with civic education in a computer-based setting.

Albany, NY Catholic Charities
In 2005 Albany Catholic Charities Housing program established a program for individuals in need of professional clothing to secure employment and helps individuals who have found employment to secure permanent housing.

Cincinnati Catholic Social Services of Southwestern Ohio
Su Casa Hispanic Ministry is serving the Hispanic/Latino community in the Greater Cincinnati area. Programs include educational services, Medicaid and clinic services, community resources, outreach, employment referral, job fairs, housing, and transportation services.

Dallas Catholic Charities
Job Placement for Success is a program that serves the underserved of East Dallas with skills and job placement to help achieve self sufficiency.

Evansville, IN Catholic Charities
The Neighbor to Neighbor Program is a financial assistance program targeting low income individuals/families with a seven week-38 hour course. The innovative curriculum has a strong concentration on goal setting and moving forward toward self-sufficiency in body, mind, and soul. The individual has the opportunity to learn ideas, skills and resources, including an opportunity to grow in their relationship with God. The program is funded by a religious foundation grant.

Kansas City, MO Catholic Charities
HUD Case Management, HomePlus, and Northland Supportive Housing programs provide permanent housing through HUD funding. Case managers assist persons who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness to secure and maintain permanent housing.

Compassion in Action Breakfast: Poverty Has Many Faces

Submitted by Lindsay Hansen

On Wednesday, May 2, Catholic Charities’ in Phoenix will be hosting its final annual Compassion in Action breakfast, focusing on Poverty and how we help the most vulnerable people in our communities. The event will be held at the Arizona Biltmore from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.

The goal of the gathering is to invite more people to become friends and supporters of Catholic Charities and raise funds for the more than 50 programs that benefit people in need in Central and Northern Arizona.

“Poverty is an issue that affects all of us,” said Catholic Charities CEO Paul Martodam.  “Arizona is ranked as the 16th worst state in the country in terms of citizens living in poverty.  We’re inviting people from parishes, businesses, and the community at large so that we can educate them about the breadth and depth of our services and the impact of our work in Arizona.”

The breakfast is a free event – there is no charge to attend.  It will be the job of Catholic Charities to inspire the attendees to want to support our programs.  Community leaders, board members and Catholic Charities’ supporters will host a table and invite others in the community to attend.

Corporations, foundations and individuals have committed to sponsor this event.  We are extremely grateful for our presenting sponsors: Schaller Anderson and Opus.  Additionally, the following companies have agreed to be patron sponsors: St. Joe’s Hospital and Medical Center, Walsh Bros., Sharko’s, Magnalite Distributors and Leathers, Milligan & Associates. 

For more information about the first annual Compassion in Action breakfast, please contact Sylvia Hopkins at Catholic Charities (602) 285-1999 ext. 3930 or Lindsay Hansen at (602) 285-1999 ext. 3903. 

Fight poverty on your web site

We can't reduce poverty in America without your support. Use a web button to show your support of the Campaign and link back to the Campaign Blog.

Download Poverty-Web-Graphic.gif (41.2K)

Here is sample HTML to insert on your web page:

<a href="http://povertyinamerica.typepad.com"><img src="http://povertyinamerica.typepad.com/Poverty-Web-Graphic.gif" border="0" align="right" width="150" height="175"></a>

More web buttons will be available soon and posted on this blog.

Have a web button of your own to share? Submit a comment below and link to the location on your web site where we can find your button.

At your next Board meeting ...

At your next Board of Trustees meeting, after a presentation on the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America, resolve as a Board to support the campaign and its goals.

Use this template resolution to help shape the conversation with your Board.

Invite Board members to endorse the campaign

On a national level, Janet Valente Pape, Chair of the Catholic Charities USA Board of Trustees, mailed a letter to all members of the Board, encouraging them to endorse the campaign as an individual, and as an agency. Click here to view the sample letter.

This letter can also be modified to use for other committees, community groups and partners.

Family of Dentists Volunteer Time, Toothpaste and Tenderness

Catholic Charities USA has named a Tucson, AZ, family of three generations of dentists its 2007 National Volunteers of the Year.

Sam Marascalco, DDS, his son-in-law Phil Mooberry, DDS, and grandson Nick Mooberry, DDS, volunteer at Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona’s St. Elizabeth’s Clinic. Known affectionately as St. E’s, the clinic provides thousands of uninsured adults and children with low-cost dental care. Last year, St. E’s volunteer dentists conducted 7,313 dental visits with patients, completing fillings, dentures, partials, cleanings, and emergency exams.

“With too many people in our country unable to get access to crucial health and dental care, these three remarkable dentists are using their special skills to provide an invaluable service to some of their most vulnerable neighbors,” said Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA. “The Catholic Charities family is grateful for their dedication to their community and the Catholic Charities mission.”

“Volunteering at St. E’s is how this family gives back to the community.  St. E’s is part of ‘their family’ and they all believe that providing their dental skills is a unique way to help others in the community,” said Nancy Johnson, executive director for St. Elizabeth’s. “They are here consistently and always ready to help with a special project, advocacy efforts, a letter of support, etc.”

Learn more about this remarkable trio. Their work is a testament of God's love and a prime example of how each and every one of us can make a difference in the lives of our less fortunate brothers and sisters. They will be honored on September 15 at Catholic Charities USA's Annual Gathering in Cincinnati, OH.