Social Justice

Catholic Charities West Michigan seeks to put faith in action by responding to the call of Catholic social teaching on local, national and global issues. In conjunction with the Diocese of Grand Rapids, we provide advocacy, awareness, and value-added programs to coordinate with parishes and organizations within our West Michigan community. As part of our strengthened mission, Catholic Charities West Michigan produces Faith in Action, a newsletter detailing pertinent social concerns and our call to action as described in our faith.

Caring for Migrants and Refugees
How you can help – Visit this resource from the Diocese of Grand Rapids here.

Social Justice Resources

1. Catholic Campaign for Human Development
   • What is CCHD: http://www.usccb.org/about/catholic-campaign-for-human-development/who-we-are.cfm
   • Creating on the Margins: http://www.usccb.org/about/catholic-campaign-for-human-development/multimedia-youth-contest/index.cfm
2. Share the Journey
   • Face your Fears: https://www.sharejourney.org/real-refugee-stories/
   • Stories about Migrants and Refugees: https://www.sharejourney.org/meet-your-neighbors/
   • How to support Migrants and Refugees: https://www.sharejourney.org/get-involved/
3.  Caritas
   • What Caritas does: https://www.caritas.org/what-we-do/
   • Reports and Publications: https://www.caritas.org/who-we-are/publications-and-resources/
4. Caritas Share the Journey
   • Myths about migration: http://journey.caritas.org/myths/
   • Global Solidarity Walk: http://journey.caritas.org/walk/
   • The Culture of Encounter: http://journey.caritas.org/the-culture-of-encounter/
5. Poverty USA
   • Facts about Poverty: https://povertyusa.org/facts
   • Social Awareness Education plan: https://povertyusa.org/grades-6-12
   • Stories to encounter: https://povertyusa.org/stories
   • Ways to get involved: https://povertyusa.org/alerts
6. We are the Salt and Light
   • Social Justice and Prayer: https://www.wearesaltandlight.org/success-stories-pray/
   • Community Assessment: https://www.wearesaltandlight.org/assessments/pray
   • Action:https://www.wearesaltandlight.org/act-together?tab=jl_magic_tabs_service_relief_gix1
   • Videos to share: https://www.wearesaltandlight.org/video/video-resources
7. Justice for Immigrants
   • Community Engagement Resources: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/news/community-engagement-resources/
   • Resources for National Migration Week (January 6-12): https://justiceforimmigrants.org/take-action/national-migration-week/
   • Faces of Migration: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/faces-of-migration/stories-of-migration/
   • CARE Program: https://justiceforimmigrants.org/catholic-accompaniment-and-reflection-experience-care-program/
8. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
   • Catholic Social Teaching: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/index.cfm
   • Justice Peace and Human Development Resources: http://www.usccb.org/about/justice-peace-and-human-development/resources-and-tools.cfm
   • Poverty USA Game show: http://www.usccb.org/about/catholic-campaign-for-human-development/upload/poverty-usa-game-show-edition.pdf
   • Scripture and Justice Timeline Activity: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catholic-education/campus-ministry/tools-for-action/scripture-and-justice-timeline-activity.cfm
   • Caritas in Veritate: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/who-we-teach/adults/caritas-in-veritate-resource-material.cfm
   • Two Feet of Love and Action: http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/catholic-social-teaching/two-feet-of-love-in-action.cfm
9.  Vatican
   • Papal Documents: http://www.vatican.va/offices/papal_docs_list.html
   • Social Doctrine: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html
10. Michigan Catholic Conference
    • Catholic Advocacy Issues: http://www.micatholic.org/advocacy/advocacy-issues/
    • Catholic News Source: http://www.micatholic.org/advocacy/news-room/news-releases/
    • Resources for Churches and Diocese: http://www.micatholic.org/advocacy/catholic-advocacy-network/resources-for-dioceses-and-parishes/
11. Rural Catholic Life
    • Fast Facts for a Just Food System: https://catholicrurallife.org/resources/education-and-action/placards-for-a-just-food-system/
    • A Faith Based Study Guide on Climate Change: https://catholicrurallife.org/resources/education-and-action/faith-based-study-guide-on-climate-change/
    • Virtue of Rural Life and Family Farms: https://catholicrurallife.org/impact/virtue-of-rural-life-and-family-farms/
12. Catholic Relief Services Rice Bowl
    • Lent Recipes: https://www.crsricebowl.org/recipe
    • Lenten Digital Retreat: https://www.crsricebowl.org/digital-retreat
    • Lent Educators: https://www.crsricebowl.org/schools
13. Catholic Relief Services
    • Mission: Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. We are motivated by the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cherish, preserve and uphold the sacredness and dignity of all human life, foster charity and justice, and embody Catholic social and moral teaching.
    • Importance of Agriculture and Change Theory: https://www.crs.org/our-work-overseas/program-areas/agriculture
    • Advent Resources: https://www.crs.org/resource-center/advent-resources-your-parish
    • Learning Resource Center: https://www.crs.org/get-involved/learn
14. Catholic Charities USA
    • Mission: The mission of Catholic Charities is to provide service to people in need, to advocate for justice in social structures, and to call the entire church and other people of good will to do the same.
    • Prayers and Reflections: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/media-center/prayers-reflection/
    • Parish Social Ministry Resources: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/our-vision-and-ministry/leadership-development-catholic-identity/parish-social-ministry-resources/
    • Ministry: https://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/our-ministry/