Advocacy
Through a variety of activities, groups, and committees, Catholic Charities fosters awareness and collaboration. Our ultimate goal is to ensure that we are doing everything in our power to help the least among us in the seven counties we represent: Will, Kendall, Grundy, DuPage, Iroquois, Ford, and Kankakee.
The Advocacy Committee at Catholic Charities in the Diocese of Joliet is composed of employees and Board Members who work toward raising awareness with federal, state, and local government officials. Our focus has been on advocating for affordable housing, cost of doing business increases for our programs, reduction in poverty and racism in America, and helping the victims of natural disasters in New Orleans, to name a few.
In DuPage County, the Community Connections network includes Catholic Charities, other human service agencies from DuPage County, and interested persons from parishes and non-profits advocating on issues such as child care, transitional housing, help for expectant mothers in crisis, affordable housing, transportation, and emergency services to name a few. For additional information on this group that meets monthly, please contact Pam Terrell, DuPage County Community Services Director at 630.495.8008 x2109.
In Will County we participate in the Continuum of Care, Voices for Illinois Children, Supportive Housing Action Coalition, Illinois Homeless Network, etc. In Grundy County we participate in the Local Interagency Council and the Community Support team as well as the 13th Judicial Violence Prevention Council. For additional information on these activities, please contact Pam Kostecki, Division Director of Community Services at 815.724.1156.
Catholic Charities also works closely with Catholic Charities USA to raise awareness about poverty and racism in America. CCUSA’s goal is to reduce poverty by 50 percent by 2020. We cannot do this alone.
For additional information, on CCUSA, social policy and legislative advocacy efforts please try the following links:
Catholic Charities USA - CCUSA
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops - USCCB -
Catholic Relief Services – CRS -