January is national Poverty Awareness month in conjunction with The Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), a national anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic Bishops.
More than 46 million Americans live in poverty today. CCHD seeks to educate and promote understanding about poverty and its roots. The observance is part of the U.S. Catholic community’s taking up of Pope Francis’ challenge to live in solidarity with the poor, in carrying out the mission of Christ.
Patricia E. Chavez, communications and external affairs director for South Bay Community Services, noted the impacts of poverty locally cannot be underestimated — or ignored.
“Poverty is not just evident in our chronic homeless living on the street,” said Chavez. “There is poverty we don’t often see or realize. In our community, there are children who go to school hungry, families living in cars or a friend’s garage, and teens couch surfing so they don’t have to sleep in a park.”
Chavez pointed out some residents “are just one circumstance away” from losing shelter and the means for basic living. “January is one month out of the year to get informed about the millions living in poverty every day so we then can take that next step to finding a solution together,” Chavez said adding, “South Bay Community Services (SBCS) provides hot meals and food subsidies for thousands each year.”
SBCS provides emergency and transitional housing with wraparound services for homeless families, homeless youth, youth aging out of foster care and families escaping domestic violence.
“SBCS also provides rapid rehousing and subsidized rent for six to 12 months for those individuals experiencing homelessness in order to help bridge the gap to self-sufficiency,” Chavez added.
Established in 1970 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, CCHD has a two-fold mandate:
To help low-income people participate in decisions that affect their lives, their families and communities.
To provide education and promote understanding about poverty and its root causes.
This dual strategy of “helping people who are poor speak and act for themselves” and “education for economic justice” reflects the mandate of the Scriptures and the principles of Catholic social teaching.
For more information visit www.povertyusa.org.
