Each year, the Catholic Campaign for Human Development awards grants to projects aimed at changing the structures that perpetuate poverty in our society. Some grants are awarded locally and are paid for with money collected in the archdiocese; others are awarded by the national CCHD office. Grants usually can be given to the same project for three years in a row. This year’s collection will take place in parishes Nov. 23-24. Following are descriptions of the projects that received grants this year: Local grants St. Agnes of Bohemia, $15,000, first year St. Agnes of Bohemia’s Imago Dei Project is working to provide young people at risk for gang involvement with alternatives, especially through art. Alliance of the Southeast, $20,000, first year The Alliance of the Southeast is a multicultural, interfaith alliance consisting of churches, schools, businesses and community organizations that uses grassroots participation to address the challenges facing the neighborhoods of Southeast Chicago. Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, $20,000, first year The Catholic Charities Refugee Women’s Art group is a volunteerand client-run group of refugee women from around the world who create, teach and learn about art. Center for Companies that Care, $20,000, third year Center for Companies that Care is a Chicago-based national nonprofit organization that helps employers build and sustain families and communities through corporate social responsibility initiatives. Office for Immigration Affairs & Immigration Education, Archdiocese of Chicago, $20,000, first year The Office for Immigration Affairs & Immigration Education engages the Catholic community to build communion between immigrants and non-immigrants, and to welcome and promote immigrants in the formation and integration as full members of society and as people of faith in the one family of God. Interfaith Leadership Project, $20,000, second year The Interfaith Leadership Project strengthens immigrant leaders who are working to combat the anti-immigration actions and policies of the Cicero Police Department and to hold the Berwyn Police department accountable for recent policy changes made possible through their work. Jane Addams Senior Caucus, $20,000, third year Jane Addams Senior Caucus uses the power of collective voice to work for economic, social and racial justice for seniors and their communities. Life Directions, $5,000, second year Life Directions motivates elders and adults to encourage young adults, especially the economically poor and “at-risk,” to mature into responsible, productive adults through self-direction. Mercy Housing Lakefront, $15,000, first year Mercy Housing Lakefront creates stable, vibrant and healthy communities by developing, financing and operating affordable, program-enriched housing for families, seniors and people with special needs who lack the economic resources to access quality, safe housing opportunities. Metropolitan Tenants Organization, $15,000, third year The Metropolitan Tenants Organization educates, organizes and empowers tenants to have a voice in the decisions that affect the affordability and availability of safe, decent and accessible housing. Most Blessed Trinity, $20,000, second year Most Blessed Trinity’s Fe y Vida Publica (Faith and Public Life) stands up and takes public action against injustice. ONE-Northside, $15,000, second year ONE-Northside’s Affordable Housing Preservation and Creation project seeks to preserve affordable housing that exists in the community, including single room occupancy and Section 8 housing. Parenting for Nonviolence, $15,000, first year Parenting for Non-Violence identifies evidence-based curricula and initiatives to violence prevention. The program teaches parents new attitudes, knowledge and skills to reduce their involvement in violence. Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, $20,000 second year Precious Blood Ministries engages those who are in conflict, both victims and doers of harm. It embraces a restorative philosophy that promotes human dignity and offers a means towards real dialogue. St. Pius V Parish, $20,000, second year St. Pius V Parish’s HOPE project promotes healthy families through culturally sensitive programming that encourages personal, spiritual and social growth in a supportive community. HOPE at St. Pius V strengthens families by providing services for personal enrichment, healthier marriages and a more peaceful family life. Respect Life Office, Archdiocese of Chicago, $20,000, fourth year The Respect Life Office’s Gospel of Life Leadership Training program empowers low-income youth to understand and address the root causes of moral, spiritual and economic poverty through chastity education. Target Area Development, $20,000, third year Target Area’s “Justice at Work” project builds support around the anticipated State Mandated Reentry Plan, ensuring that the state provides citizens returning from the correctional system basic services and resources needed to assist with successful and productive reintegration into society. United Power for Action and Justice, $20,000, first year United Power is a Cook Countywide, broad-based citizens’ organization that builds power through relationships across race, class, religion, political affiliation and geography to take action on justice issues for the common good. Warehouse Workers for Justice, $20,000, second year Warehouse Workers for Justice is a multi-racial organization of warehouse workers who want to create systemic change, uniting faith, labor and community allies in support of warehouse workers. Brothers and Sisters of Love, $5,000 technical assistance LaSalle Street Church, in collaboration with Brothers and Sisters of Love and low-income residents, has developed a comprehensive strategy to prevent, intervene and reduce violence in the Near North community, a current hot spot for gang and criminal activity. Community and Relatives of Illinois Incarcerated Children, $10,000, technical assistance Community and Relatives of Illinois Incarcerated Children is a group for the families of those who have “juvenile with life without parole” sentences and comes together for support and to better understand and participate in the campaign to end life without parole (and extreme sentencing) for juveniles. National grants were awarded to: Developing Communities Project, $43,000, third year; Lake County Sponsors, $35,000, fifth year; Lake County Center for Independent Living, $35,000, third year; Latino Union, $65,000, fifth year; Northwest Side Housing Center, $25,000, first year; Restaurant Opportunities Center, $50,000, first year; Waukegan to College, $25,000, first year