Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD)
Catholic Charities
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) International relief
Deanery Meetings
Immigration Program
Iowa Institute for Social Action
JustFaith
Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award
Public Policy & Advocacy
Respect Life/Pro-Life
Social Action Commission
St. Vincent's Home Corporation

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Social Action Department Brochure (PDF Sep-11)

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) is a domestic anti-poverty, social justice program of the U.S. Catholic bishops. It was founded in 1969 with two purposes. 

• To raise funds to support organized groups of white and minority poor to develop economic strength and political power.
• To educate the People of God to a new knowledge of today's problems . . . that can lead to some new approaches that promote a greater sense of solidarity.

"The CCHD philosophy emphasizes empowerment and participation for the poor. By helping the poor to participate in the decisions and actions that affect their lives, CCHD empowers them to move beyond poverty.

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Catholic Charities is a 501c3, non-profit social service organizations.  On of July 1, 2010, the Diocese of Davenport reestablished a local Catholic Charities office.  Our operation  includes:

• Disaster Preparation and Responses: Assist parishes in disaster planning and work with county or community disaster recovery organization in time of disaster to facilitate recovery.

• Immigration Services: Provides assistance in navigating the immigration process to families and outreach to communities for immigration information and assistance.

• Jail/Prison Ministry and Parish Health Ministry: Support people involved in these ministries and seek to involve more people and parishes in them.

• Counseling Services: Coordinate with neighboring Catholic Charities agencies to provide counseling services.

Catholic Charities is a compliment to the rich tradition of social justice that continues within the diocese.

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Davenport History

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) International relief

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) was founded in 1943 by the Catholic Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas.  CRS is the official international relief and development agency of the United States Catholic community. The CRS provides emergency supplies to families in other countries following disasters and assists with food, water, and housing.  In poverty stricken areas of the world, CRS provides better agricultural practices, public health information, microloans to help individuals or groups wanting to start a business, and a number of other ways of helping people to help themselves.   CRS operates in more than 90 countries.  For more information go to http://crs.org/

To help parishes learn about other countries and the ways in which CRS is involved, CRS provides priests & deacons to speak at weekend liturgies.  Several parishes in the Diocese of Davenport have taken advantage of this program in the past and all have been pleased with the result, including the response by parishioners.  These priests and deacons are called Global Fellows. 

To invite a Global Fellow to your parish or community. Please call  410-951-7336 or globalfellows@crs.org.

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Deanery Meetings

The Diocese has six deaneries, Davenport, Clinton, Iowa City, Grinnell, Ottumwa, and Keokuk.  Through periodic meetings with parish social justice/social action groups, the Social Action Office is able to learn first hand what is going on both at the parishes and the deanery communities.  At the same time, the office is able to provide assistance tailored to the particular communities.  This is vital sources of information exchange and mutual support.

A primary function of the Social Action Office is to support the individual parishes live out their mission of proclaiming the Word, celebrating the Eucharist, and services in gratitude for God's gift and in expressing love of neighbor.  An accomplishment in a parish is often the answer to an unmet to an unmet need in a parish in another deanery.  The sharing of both accomplishments and challenges strengthens all.

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Diocesan immigration Program

The diocesan Immigration program is a non-profit program, it provides immigration counseling to help reunite families split by immigration, assists immigrants adjust their immigration status and advocates on their behalf. The immigration program focuses on family reunification immigration cases. 

The Immigration counselors are certified by an element of the Justice Department.  The Diocesan immigration counselors work wok in close conjunction with the U.S Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

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Iowa Institute for Social Action

The Iowa Institute for Social Action (IISA) is a leadership training event for people of faith residing in the four Catholic dioceses in Iowa. Various speakers and workshops enable attendees to become better advocates on social justice and peace issues in their local communities as well as throughout the world.

The Iowa Institute for Social Action is sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Iowa and the Iowa Catholic Conference.

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JustFaith

Just Faith Ministries strives to provide faith formation processes and resources that emphasize the Gospel message of peace and justice, Catholic social teaching and the intersection of spirituality and action. 

The aim of Just Faith Ministries is to empower participants  of faith to develop a passion for justice and to express this passion in concrete acts of parish social ministry.

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Pacem in Terris Peace and Freedom Award

The Pacem in Terris  Peace and Freedom Award was created in 1964 by the Davenport Catholic Interracial Council.  An Award is presented by the Diocese in collaboration with other organization to honor a person for their achievements in peace and justice, not only in their country but in the world.

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Public Policy & Advocacy

The Office of Social Action assists parishioners with advocacy on legislative issues at the local, state and federal levels.  The Iowa Catholic Conference and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provide guidance and resources on campaigns and issues. 

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Respect Life/Pro-Life

Respect Life Sunday, the first Sunday in October, is the beginning of the annual respect life moth.  The office provides a USCCB Respect Life promotional package to each parish's Respect Life Coordinator, and provides monthly intercessions for life in both English and Spanish.

There are many opportunities for parishes and individuals to promote respect for life and the dignity of the human person. 

For information:

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Social Action Commission

The Diocesan Social Action Commission advises the Office of Social Action on issues relating to charity and justice.  They serve as a forum for open communications throughout the Diocese on issues relating to charity and justice and they initiate and support positive action for the common good of local and global communities.  The Social Action Commission is made up of volunteers with a passion for social action from the six deaneries throughout the Diocese.

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St. Vincent's Home Corporation

Since 1895, St. Vincent's Home has cared for children.  As an orphanage, as a relocation center for displaced youngsters, as a residential treatment center for emotionally disabled adolescents, and as a child-placing agency through Catholic Charities, St. Vincent's Home helped children in need.

In 1973, the board of St. Vincent's Home changed the focus of its child care effort, closed the institution and determined to broaden its services both geographically and programmatically.  It established the St. Vincent's Home Corporation, which, as resources permit, makes selective loans or grants to projects which further the original purpose of St. Vincent's Home. 

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