Poverty Education

Some of the ways that Catholics can engage in learning more about poverty and how to assist those in need are below. Please also feel free to contact us for more information at 202.541.3000.

January is Poverty Awareness Month! Use this calendar (also in Spanish) to pray, learn, and act to help address U.S. poverty.

Catholics Confront Global Poverty - The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) call on one million Catholics in the United States to confront global poverty. Advocate with us to end hunger, disease, conflict, and other issues that affect the lives of our brothers and sisters worldwide.

Catholic Campaign for Human Development - The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is an instrument of the Catholic Church working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ, "... to bring good news to the poor ... release to captives ... sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free." (Luke 4:18)

Multi-Media Youth Contest - A program of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the Multi-Media Youth Arts Contest is a unique educational experience that provides schools and parishes an opportunity to engage the entire community in learning about: (1) how low-income persons themselves can effectively lead efforts to address the causes of poverty in their communities, and (2) how all Catholics are called to act in support of such efforts as a result of their faith and the values of Catholic social teaching.

CCHD Intern Program - CCHD funds a number of stipend-provided summer, semester, and year-long internships for Catholics in the United States to gain experience working with and on behalf of the poor. These internships occur in around thirty CCHD diocesan offices in the United States, as well as in the CCHD office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and the office of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) in Washington, DC.

Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award - The Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award, an activity of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, recognizes the leadership, energy and diverse skills that young people bring to the anti-poverty work of low-income projects and Catholic parishes. The Cardinal Bernardin New Leadership Award highlights the gifts of young leaders and their Gospel commitment to the poor.

PovertyUSA - Website sponsored by Catholic Campaign for Human Development, clearinghouse for information about poverty in the United States.

Ending Poverty in Community (EPIC): A Toolkit for Young Advocates is designed for use by youth ministry leaders, Catholic high school teachers and religious educators. Six downloadable lesson plans and a resource appendix engage young people in learning, reflection and action on poverty in the U.S.  (Updated Jan. 2012)

Poverty Student Action Project: This guide contains ideas and suggestions for educating about poverty and our Catholic response for grades K-8. (Updated Jan. 2012)

Resources for Youth Ministers - The USCCB Department of Justice, Peace andHuman Development offers a variety of resources and activities to engage young people in creative education about Catholic Social Teaching and issues of life and dignity.