Creating Public Policy

Advocacy Ministry

Catholic Charities has an interest in creating public policy that protects the vulnerable and provides opportunities for poor persons to meet their own human needs. The Church can effectively shape a public policy that is more caring and just when many of our Catholic people, including our teenagers, are communicating their views to elected officials.

Catholic Legislative Network
You can make a difference in California and U.S. Public Policy. The Diocese of Stockton is a part of a new state-wide Catholic Legislative Alert Network, officially debuting state-wide in January of 2008. Let your voice be heard and bring the message of Catholic Social Teaching to lawmakers in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.

Covering a broad spectrum of issues, the network allows for quick and easy messages to be sent to your representatives at all levels—from local city government to federal representatives.

You will also receive periodic statements on topics of current debate from the Church’s point of view. Register online with the Catholic Legislative Network and "Let your voice be heard." 

Connections with PACT / CBC

People and Congregations Together (PACT) in San Joaquin County or Congregations Building Community (CBC) in Stanislaus County are two organizations receiving support from CCHD. These organizations bring people together to improve living and working conditions in their neighborhoods and cities. For more information visit the Campaign for Human Development official website. Catholic Campaign for Human Development and Community Organizing

The Church teaches that people have a right to participate in the society in which they live. For persons who are economically poor, that is sometimes very difficult to do.

Through the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD), Catholics have supported community organizing and community development efforts found in the poorest neighborhoods in our nation. For example, a number of our parishes belong to congregation-based organizations partially funded by CCHD.

People and Congregations Together (PACT) in San Joaquin County or Congregations Building Community (CBC) in Stanislaus County are two organizations receiving support from CCHD. These organizations bring people together to improve living and working conditions in their neighborhoods and cities.

For more information about the Catholic Campaign for Human Development visit the United States Conference of Catholic Bisops web site.

Catholic Relief Services (CRS) / Solidarity

The Church teaches that we are called to care for those in need whether they are across the street or across the ocean.

Catholic Relief Services is the American Catholic Church’s outreach to more than 100 nations around the world. Through Operation Rice Bowl and other special collections during Lent, Catholics provide substantial support for CRS’s efforts.

Catholic Charities staff can provide assistance to local parishes desiring partnership with CRS to bring love and support to vulnerable people in other parts of the world. For further information please phone Betsy Reifsnider at the office of Catholic Charities Diocese of Stockton, 209.444.5925.

Helping parishioners to understand and support the work of CRS and other organizations is an important aspect of the work to be done by parishes and Catholic Charities. For a wealth of information visit our Catholic Weblinks.