Target Program
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Annual Collection: November 19-20, 2005 (national date)

What is the TARGETprogram?

Many American Catholics give generously of their time and resources to a great number of charitable efforts to meet the pressing needs of poor people in this country. Few are engaged in action to change the conditions that create poverty. Pope John Paul II praised these charitable efforts during his visit to this country in 1979. He added that “. . .this is not enough. Within the framework of your national institutions…you will also want to seek out the structural reasons which foster or cause the different forms of poverty…so that you can supply the proper remedies.”

The National Conference of Catholic Bishops established the Campaign for Human Development in 1969 as a vehicle of the American Catholic Church to address the root causes of poverty in this country. The founding resolution stated two major goals for the Campaign: 1) to organize an annual collection to fund low income self-help projects, and 2) to educate American Catholics about the causes of domestic poverty and to find innovative solutions to create greater solidarity between rich and poor.

In 1982, CCHD began an intense effort at justice education/action called the TARGET Program in response to these challenges. Through the TARGET program a variety of transformative educational materials are available designed to combine faith and justice in an effort to create a space for individuals to experience a conversion of heart. This conversion of heart will, in hopes, guide individuals to action that is centered on being WITH the poor, rather than doing for THEM.

In order to make these resources available for use, we have compiled a brief description about the variety of educational tools available through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development on this website. You can also reference guides that provide helpful hints and suggestions on how and where to use them with different segments of your communities.
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Your Gift Helps...

The work of the Catholic Campaign for Human Development is made possible by the generous donations of Catholic parishioners whose financial gifts in the annual CCHD collection, and at other times of the year, become the tools of self-reliance, self-sufficiency and self-determination for people who are motivated to break out of the cycle of poverty.

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The annual collection also provides an opportunity for Catholics to learn about poverty and our church’s social mission.

You can help! All the materials that you need are provided below in both English and Spanish. Volunteer to prepare for the annual collection in your parish. Email or call us (1-800-946-4CHD) to get started on your promotion efforts!

Pastors and Parish Staff, Leaders & Volunteers - Listed below are the old promotion materials. The new resources will be available in August 2005.
(click on the resources below for both the English and Spanish versions)


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Related Materials - for use during the appeal and year-round

Need assistance? Contact the appropriate Promotion/Education Representative.


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