Contributions to the eighth annual Archdiocesan Charities Drive to be held this year on March 6 help to fund the Department of Catholic Social Services and its Office of Community Affairs. This office has as its principal function that of liaison with the larger civic and religious community and lends support in those efforts which effect change in accordance with the social teachings of the Church. The office also attempts to build relationships within the Catholic community, uniting those of different ethnic, racial, and geographic origins in programs beneficial to all.

The principal direction of this office is taken from the task force for Community Affairs of the board of Catholic Social Services. Its outreach activities include collaborating with other churches and synagogues in educational and action projects for establishing peace and justice. One example of such involvement is an in-depth reflection and action project on the politics of world hunger scheduled for the first five months of 1977. The initial session was held January 25 at the Catholic Center and led by Sister Lorraine Polacci from the National Office of Bread for the World.

Another responsibility of this office is to enable the Catholic Church to maintain a visible and viable presence in the legislative arena in order to protect the dignity of human life. Concern for the unborn, maternal and infant care, adequate educational opportunities and welfare for the poor and the powerless are some of the endeavors of the division of Community Affairs. Monitoring legislation on the national and state level requires continual research and vigilance. This necessitates communication with and information from such organizations as the Peace and Justice Commission of the USCC, the Center for Concern and Network, the League of Women Voters and from such person as Cheatham Hodges of the Georgia State Catholic Conference.

The Division of Community Affairs sponsors the Atlanta chapter of the Gray Panthers, an organization of elderly persons committed to dispelling the myth of ageism and to speaking out on social issues. At present the group is serving as an advocacy group for better transportation for senior citizens in the Atlanta area and for better nutritional programs at various sites in the metro area.

The most time-consuming work of this office is the administration of Project Rehab, a program for the rehabilitation of the homes of the elderly poor. This project is now made possible through grants from the Atlanta Regional Council and the Older Americans Act and also from Community Development monies. Approximately fifty homes have been brought up to city code standards through this program; this year’s funding will make it possible to undertake the renovation of 50 additional homes.

Much of the responsibility for carrying through the five-year plan of the American bishops resulting from the recommendations of the delegates to the Call-to-Action Conference in Detroit last October will be shared and led by the office of Community Affairs. Since the conference many feedback and discussion sessions have been held in all parts of Atlanta to acquaint the archdiocese with the final recommendations of the Bicentennial efforts. Copies of the recommendations are available through the office of Community Affairs and arrangements for input from the delegates can be made by a call to the director.

More ecumenical and civic involvement on the part of the Church will be required as together Christians and Jews approach the major problems facing the modern world. Within the Catholic community this will require the coordinated efforts of all through a responsible central office of Community Affairs.