Atlanta
CCHD Grants Benefit Local Programs
By ANDREW NELSON, Staff Writer | Published August 2, 2012
A chess program that encourages conflict resolution. A Catholic celebration of Earth Day. A center that aids refugees to learn job skills.
These programs and others benefited from recent awards from the local Catholic Campaign for Human Development. Some $37,500 was given to nine programs that aim to transform people’s lives and break the cycle of poverty.
Orrin Hudson started Be Someone, Inc., in 2001 using chess as a way to engage young people to learn life skills.
“It’ll allow me to work with several hundred kids,” he said about the $5,000 grant.
Hudson said he goes to schools in DeKalb County to share a message that encourages children to take responsibility. By learning the game of chess, Hudson teaches the students life lessons: decision-making skills, critical thinking and problem solving.
“Heads up. Pants up. Grades up. The big one is, never give up,” said the former Alabama state trooper turned chess coach and motivational speaker.
Some 25,000 children have taken the program, Hudson estimates. His goal is to reach 1 million children. He said he knows he’s successful when a parent thanks him when a youngster is making better choices, hanging out with the right crowd. “I stick with kids to the end,” said Hudson.
Be Someone, Inc. is one of nine local programs assisted by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development, the anti-poverty program of the U.S. Catholic bishops. The money comes from the annual collection taken up in local parishes.
The list of the local award-winners follows:
Be Someone, Inc., Lithonia, $5,000, for a youth chess program to teach life skills.
Multicultural Center for Health, Education and Community Development, Inc., Clarkston, $10,000, for a program to assist refugees and immigrants to learn job skills.
Ignatius House Retreat Center, Atlanta, $3,500, for a spirituality project with homeless and JustFaith.
Catholic Center at the University of Georgia, Athens, $2,000 for JustFaith and LIMEX programs.
Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Atlanta, $2,000, for a Catholic Earth Day program.
Our Lady of Assumption Church, Atlanta, $1,000 for their JustFaith program.
St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Smyrna, $5,000, for JustFaith and Travelers Together.
St. Paul of the Cross Church, Atlanta, $5,000, for programs on JustFaith, immigration support, and Financial Peace University.
St. Philip Benizi Church, Jonesboro, $4,000, for programs on JustFaith and Transformation Parish Social Justice Program.