ATLANTA--The Archdiocese of Atlanta was recognized by the National Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) for its strong support of the campaign’s anti-poverty mission and for increasing the annual CCHD parish appeal by over three percent.

Local contributions in 1997 totaled more than $90,000 and were used for a variety of projects in the Atlanta area during 1998.

Each year throughout the U.S., CCHD contributes over $7 million to community organizing projects and over $1 million to economic development projects. The CCHD is the nation’s largest private funding source of programs that empower the poor.

Founded by the U.S. Catholic bishops in 1970, the CCHD funds community-based, self-help projects controlled by low-income people and educates parishioners about Catholic social teaching and Christian responsibility to the poor. In its 28-year history, CCHD has donated more than $200 million to over 3,000 community-based projects nationwide.

Funds for CCHD grants are raised through the generosity of Catholics during the campaign’s annual pre-Thanksgiving collection, which will be held Nov. 21-22 this year.

In 1998 two programs in Georgia were awarded a total of $70,000 in national CCHD grants.

Atlantans Building Leadership for Empowerment (ABLE), a multiracial, interfaith group, received funds for the Labor Pool Organizing Project designed to improve working conditions and wages in the temporary labor market.

The Georgia Citizens’ Coalition on Hunger is also a national grant recipient for the Up and Out of Poverty Now Campaign, which is an effort to address the cuts in Georgia’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program and to increase the state minimum wage.

Since a quarter of the CCHD collection remains in the archdiocese, five local grant recipients shared a total of $21,000. They are:

• -Ashview Community Development Association, a community garden project bringing seniors and youths together to produce food for the Atlanta Food Bank.
• -Centennial Community Leadership Council, a consortium of residents, businesses and organizations working together to improve the quality of life for children and families.
• -Victory Community Development Corp., an organization which works to rebuild personal character and develop skills for self-sufficiency in men recovering from drug and alcohol abuse.
• -West End Baptist Literacy Program, which equips parents with the necessary tools and skills to effect positive change in the community through job training, GED classes and parenting programs.
• -Christian Council of Metropolitan Atlanta Moreland Avenue Shelter, which serves needy women and children.