Communications Committee

This group is interested in increasing awareness about poverty-related concerns in order to build public will to address the problem through local activism and policy interventions. The committee is acting in partnership with Catholic Charities of Buffalo Public Policy Committee, which is an already established group working on these issues.

A few meetings have taken place with Catholic Charities and CASH to see if this relationship will work. During these meetings, individuals reviewed Catholic Charities USA’s position paper on poverty as well as a “Study Circles” protocol titled, “Thriving Communities: Working Together to Move from Poverty to Prosperity for All,” and funded by the Northwest Area Foundation.

Diane met a representative from the foundation that funded this work (Northwest Area Foundation) and they discussed how the program is working in several states.

The Communications Committee is interested in doing some pilot testing of the protocol with Catholic Charities staff and “friends” to see how it works in our community. The goal is to implement the program and involve elected officials, community and civic leaders, etc in the discussions. The aim is to increase awareness of local poverty through the study circle activities and then give energized/agitated people an opportunity to get involved after taking part. Committee members also want to make sure that CASH is poised to take legislative action on key issues as needed.

To get involved in this group, please complete the member form.