HumanDevelopmentEssayICSSA15

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The poverty rate in Hillsborough county is 19.1%, and the poverty rate in Florida is 17%.(Interactive Poverty Map) It's not really that hard to fall into that statistic. These percentages appall me, to think it's so easy to donate those old cans of food in your pantry to your local shelter, or to donate those old baby clothes that you're not going to wear to your local Salvation Army. Helping out is easier than you think. Just taking an hour of your time to gather up the clothes you don't wear anymore and donating them for a better cause can help more than you actually think. (Two Feet of Love in Action) So, how does the CCHD help our community?
 * What is the poverty rate in your state? In your county? Does this surprise you? **

You see that man in the park sleeping on the bench, you think to yourself he is homeless. You don't know that he was a war veteran. He fought in the Vietnam War. He had a family at one point. He lived in a middle class home with his perfect family in the perfect home. You know none of this and you think that he should leave the park. You don't know his story. You don't know his life. Put yourself in his place, feel his pain and know that you can do something. You can donate your time to a food drive and feed the homeless. So just remember you can donate those baby clothes that your child doesn't wear anymore. You can donate those cans in the back of your pantry that you know you're not going to eat. You can donate the clothes in the back of your closet that you say you're going to wear one day and never really do. You can show these small gestures of kindness and make a big impact. You see that man after he has received all of your care and donations, he now has a small apartment and a menial job that helps him support himself. He calls his family every week. He is well off because you put your time and effort into making a change. By doing these things I am able to walk in the footsteps of God and help those who need help. This is also how I show love for God, by respecting and helping those who need our help. How do you show how you walk humbly with God?
 * Exhibit an understanding of the root causes of poverty in the U.S., not just the symptoms. It should be clear that the artist understands that in addition to charitable works, work for social justice is needed to address the causes of problems faced by people living in poverty. **

The Catholic Campaign for Human Development is the domestic anti-poverty program of the U.S Catholic Bishops, working to carry out the mission of Jesus Christ "... to bring good news to the poor ... release captives ... sight to the blind, and let the oppressed go free."(Luke 4:18) (Catholic Campaign for Human Development) The CCHD shows their work for justice by advocating for just public policies and helping to change the social structures that contribute to suffering and injustice at home and around the world. They are ran by the United States Conference Catholic Bishops.They are also funded by the United States Conference Catholic Bishops. Their mission is to help those who are struck by poverty and help them. By having that understanding the CCHD is able to fight for those who can't fight for themselves and to help those who need something short of a miracle. They believe it is their duty to help those in their community. They are funded through donations and also receive funds from the diocese. They say that they don't give hand outs, they give hand ups to help others. (Beliefs and Teachings)
 * How does CCHD show their work for justice? Why does CCHD believe it is important for local groups or communities to be involved in the issues affecting the daily lives of people living in poverty? **

Metropolitan Ministries, the quote that this wonderful organization runs by is "Hope for the Homeless."(We Are Metropolitan Ministries!) When I went to volunteer for Metropolitan Ministries last year, I helped volunteer inside the food pantry. While there I helped those who sought help finding groceries for themselves and their families. I walked over next door to the clothes closet and saw my friends helping those who didn't have many clothes find clothes for themselves and for their families. Seeing up close how Metropolitan Ministries helped others on a personal level really inspired me to help out in my community. They are supported by the community via donations. Metropolitan Ministries help those in need apply for jobs, gives temporary housing, and provides help to apply for government assistance.They help by guiding you to getting food stamps, access cards, Uncle Sam benefits, and special stamps for you to receive stamps for your child. By volunteering there I saw how they help others and treated the people who needed help like actual human beings. Instead of taking pity on them, they saw how strong they are and helped them be able to provide for themselves and their family. That is how we should treat those who need our help, with respect.(We Are Metropolitan Ministries!)
 * What is a good example of a charitable organization in your county or state? What do **** they do? How are they providing charity in your community? **

The social justice organization I chose to talk about is the Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE). They not only provide healthcare and temporary homes for those in need, they also provide education for those who are uneducated, public transportation, crime prevention, and the skills needed to do average blue collar and white collar jobs. They help you by taking the extra step and help you receive the government help you need.(Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality). They also help build more sidewalks in order for the public to be able to go to and from where they need.Not long ago they also pushed that 200 condemned building be knocked down in order to create more living space for the public.They also push government officials to make budget cuts to help those who are in need, rather than putting our money into their next campaigns.(Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality) They go above and beyond for those who need our help.
 * What is a good example of a social justice organization in your county or state? What do they do to provide social justice to the people they server? **

Work Cited
"Beliefs and Teachings." //Beliefs and Teachings //. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. .
 * I know this is a valid source of information because Mrs.Carrier recommended it to me.

"Catholic Campaign for Human Development." //Catholic Campaign for Human Development //. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. .
 * I know this is a valid source of information because it given to us by Mrs.Carrier.

"Hillsborough Organization For Progress And Equality." //Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality //. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. .
 * I know this is a valid source of information because it was on the Hillsborough page for social justices

<span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Interactive Poverty Map | State and County Level Poverty Information." //<span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Poverty Map //<span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. <http://www.povertyusa.org/the-state-of-poverty/poverty-map-state/>.
 * <span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I know this a valid source of information because it provided for us by the CCHD

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"We Are Metropolitan Ministries!" //Metropolitan Ministries//. Metropolitan Ministries, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. <http://www.metromin.org/>. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> <span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">"Two Feet of Love in Action." //<span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Two Feet of Love in Action //<span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">. CCHD, n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. <http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/two-feet-of-love-in-action.cfm>.
 * I know this is a valid source of information because I volunteered here.
 * <span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; font-family: 'Open Sans','Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">I know this is a valid source of information because it is sponsored and provided by the CCHD