The 2010 recipients were to be announced by Msgr. Carl A. Kemme, diocesan administrator, and Sister Jane Boos, SSND, director of the diocesan Office for Social Concerns at the annual awards luncheon June 5 at the Catholic Pastoral Center in Springfield.

Guest speakers at the luncheon were members of the Homeless United for Change organization, a 2009 national grant recipient.

The 2010 grant recipients are:

• Highland Area Christian Service Ministry (HACSM). HACSM is planning to initiate a program of workshops called Taking Charge for participants of their ministry. The workshops would include, but not be limited to: Cooking Wisely, Financial Management, Finding Employment and Managing Food Stamps. The goal of the workshops is to enable participants to understand and learn how to become personally and financially successful. Eunice Hediger is executive director.

• Decatur Is Growing Gardeners (DIGG). DIGG was born through the ecumenical efforts of a poverty summit held in Decatur in the fall 2008. University of Illinois extension teachers provide instruction on good gardening practices, as well as how to prepare and preserve the produce. There will be 10-13 garden plots this summer. Susan Hemp is executive director.

• Senior Citizens of Christian County, Computing for Seniors. The program will teach and empower low-income senior citizens through the use of computer technology. Becoming comfortable with the computer will enable seniors to more easily access benefits in their area, expose them to a wide variety of information and allow them to communicate long distance with relatives through the Internet. John Heldman is executive director

• Camp Care-A-Lot. The program provides a haven for children from poor or low-income families for whom simply playing in the neighborhood may be unsafe. Children participate in educational sessions on self-esteem, and conflict resolution/anger management, as well as fun activities. Guest speakers share careers and motivate children to stay in school and set goals for themselves. CCHD funds will provide camp scholarships for children in the Jacksonville, Quincy and Springfield deaneries. Eydee Schultz is executive director.

• MERCY Communities, Inc. Springfield. The organization is a transitional living program for mothers and their children. A treatment program called “Theraplay” is based on the natural patterns of healthy interaction between the parent and infant, and is particularly useful with children who have unmet emotional, social and learning needs. Mary Stone is executive director.

• Elizabeth Ann Seton Program (EAS), Springfield. The program was established to assist poor and low-income women and children at risk. A new project Routes to Success will provide assistance with transportation needs for clients working with EAS staff on employment opportunities, for clients already employed who do not have transportation, and for others who need transportation for monthly evening meetings. Sheila Page is executive director.

Every year, on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, parishes in the Springfield diocese participate in the annual collection for the Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Through the generosity of people in the diocese, organizations that focus on addressing the root causes of poverty are able to apply for local grants to carry out their mission.

Information about the national Catholic Campaign for Human Development, its programs and grants is available at www.usccb.org/cchd. Information about local programs and grants is available at www.dio.org then click on Department Listing, then Social Concerns, then CCHD. Or, call Sister Jane Boos, SSND at (217) 698-8500, ext. 167 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Contributions to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development can be made, at any time, by sending a check to Catholic Campaign for Human Development, c/o Sister Jane Boos, SSND, 1615 West Washington Street, Springfield, IL 62702.