February 27, 2020
Dear Friends: Nearly 50 years ago, the bishops of the United States founded the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. As preparations were underway to find ways to address poverty in the United States, Cardinal Dearden of Detroit said, "We do not intend to set up a program in any patronizing or paternalistic way that tells people what they need and provides it to them. We want to know what they need...They will need to tell us." In the months that followed the bishops worked together with consultants and organizers to develop what today has become the Catholic Campaign for Human Development represents. Through the years we have witnessed the work of CCHD time and time again, empowering people living in poverty, strengthening social justice work in communities across the country, and educating people of all ages about poverty and its roots causes. Because of people like you, CCHD has touched countless lives. On behalf of those lives, I thank you for your support and dedication! As we celebrate the last 50 years of CCHD, we also look ahead to the challenges and opportunities in the years to come. In May 2021, we will hold a special 50th Anniversary Celebration in Chicago, Illinois. More details will be sent as we approach this important event. I hope you can join in the celebration! Earlier this month, we held the annual Catholic Social Ministry Gathering, where we presented the Sister Margaret Cafferty Development of Peoples Award to Ronnie Moore of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. A long-time civil rights advocate, Ronnie Moore developed the first AmeriCorps program in the country for returning citizens and brought this program, Re-entry 72, to Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of New Orleans. He continues to mentor, consult, and advise emerging organizations serving the returning citizen population, as well as returning citizens to advocate for removing barriers for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated persons. I was excited to present Mr. Moore with this prestigious award in recognition of his hard work, perseverance, and compassion. People like him inspire us to continue the good work of CCHD into the next fifty years! Over the coming months, I will share with you reflections on CCHD’s history and experiences as we approach our anniversary. I look forward to sharing this important moment in history with all of you. In the meantime, I encourage you to reach out to me if you would like to share how the work of CCHD has touched your life or the lives of people in your community. Towards a Higher Vision, Ralph McCloud
Director of Catholic Campaign for Human Development