News

CCHD grants benefit communities

Collection funds grants for 10 helping agencies in diocese

Published: September 8, 2012   

Cathy Stripp is executive director of St. Augustine Center for Children in North Little Rock, which received a $2,000 CCHD grant for 2012.

Cathy Stripp is executive director of St. Augustine Center for Children in North Little Rock, which received a $2,000 CCHD grant for 2012.

Local grants from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development are benefiting area agencies that are struggling to provide services.

Tom Navin, director of Social Action Office for Catholic Charities of Arkansas, asks groups around the state in March to apply for local CCHD grants. The money for these grants comes from the annual CCHD collection taken up during Masses the Sunday before Thanksgiving. Twenty-five percent of the donations stays in the local diocese to fund smaller projects. The goal of these grants is to help poor people help themselves.

In 2011, the collection produced more than $13,000 to fund local grants. In the spring, 26 groups applied for grants, seeking $26,000. Navin had the tough task of reviewing the applications, conducting site visits and paring the list down.

One of the recipients of a 2012 local grant was St. Augustine Center for Children in North Little Rock. The child care center, associated with St. Augustine Church, received a $2,000 grant.

When executive director Cathy Stripp became director, she knew she was in for a challenge. St. Augustine takes care of children four months old to 4 years old. Most of these children come from the poor neighborhood surrounding the church in North Little Rock.

The children come largely from families headed by young, single mothers. While the teachers are primarily concerned with the children, they also help teach the young mothers how to be good parents. The school provides guidance on child-rearing and nutrition.

The school takes the extra step to care for infants, toddlers and preschoolers coming through its doors. It provides diapers, wipes, healthy food and physical and instructional activities. The tuition is low to allow as many families as possible to send children there. The tuition does not cover costs; contributions from individuals, parishes, private foundations and the Diocese of Little Rock help to make up the shortfalls.

To make ends meet, Stripp fills many roles. She is the executive director, substitute teacher, fundraiser, janitor and chief cook in the cafeteria. She works with her board of directors, parishioners and the local and state governments.

Other agencies receiving grants this year were: