Catholic Charities - Diocese of Youngstown

Sharing Hope in Tough Times

Earlier this year, Catholic Charities convened parish representatives from across the diocese to develop a local, Catholic response to the current ecomonic crisis. This effort became known as Sharing Hope in Tough Times.

So far, "Sharing Hope" has lead to the development of a community-based job network and monthly homily helps for priests targeting issues of unemployment and economic insecurity. Parishioners from communities throughout the diocese have shared ideas with one another in a spirit of compassion and concern for all who are financially struggling to provide for their families.

To learn more about the Sharing Hope in Tough Times initiative and to discuss ways that your parish, school or group might reach out to those affected by unemployment, difficulty getting by from paycheck to paycheck, or general anxiety about the economic recession, contact either George Garchar or Rachel Hrbolich at Catholic Charities, 330-744-8451. We can meet with you to begin the development of an event, program or informational packet that meets the needs of your parish and community.

Office of Social Action Tackles Issue on Local Poverty

The Diocesan Office of Social Action is currently involved with two important initiatives to reduce poverty in the Mahoning Valley. 

The Office of Social Action/Catholic Campaign for Human Development is partnering with the Wean Foundation to engage grassroots leaders (persons living in or who have broken out of poverty; academics, government, non profit and for profit) in the Mahoning Valley to 1) discuss the experience of poverty,  2)analyze root causes, 3) review the national and local literature of structural issues around poverty, and 4) investigate actions/activities/processes/projects that could work in a local area. Check out this Participatory Leadership Project website and/or join this effort.

The Office of Social Action/Catholic Campaign for Human Development is working with a local group in the Mahoning Valley to establish a Time Bank: The Time Bank of the Mahoning Watershed.  See Time Banks, Washington, D. C., the website for the Washington, D. C.-based alternative currency project.  http://www.timebanks.org/

Nationally, 36.5 million people live in poverty, and Catholic Charities agencies serve more than 7.8 million people each year.  How can you help Catholic Charities reach its goal of reducing poverty in half by the year 2020? Visit the Catholic Charities USA website at www.catholiccharitiesusa.org and endorse the Campaign to Reduce Poverty in America.  Check this website often for updates on what Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Youngstown is doing to eliminate local poverty.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND LINKS:

USCCB Catholic Campaign for Human Development Poverty USA website.

USCCB Catholic Campaign Against Global Poverty website

Caritas Interantionalis, MAKE AID WORK Campaign

Information on global poverty, visit the United Nations Millenium Goals webpage.

Essays on Catholic Social Teachings and Corporate Social Responsibility 

Spot Light on Poverty website for current information and tracking of public debate