My Experience as a CCHD Intern: A Journey of Faith and Social Justice

By Elizabeth Hamak

As a young Catholic passionate about social justice, my time as a Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) intern was an extremely transformative experience. The CCHD internship program is designed to help young Catholics understand the complexities of poverty in the United States, build leadership skills, and put Catholic Social Teaching (CST) into action. Looking back, I can say that this opportunity not only deepened my knowledge of many social justice issues, but also profoundly shaped how I approach the faith-based social justice work I do today.

One of the most significant aspects of the CCHD internship is its focus on empowering interns to engage directly with marginalized communities. The program challenges participants to see poverty not as a distant issue, but as something deeply embedded in our society that impacts real people every day. During my internship, I had the privilege of working closely with and learning from local organizations supported by CCHD grants, all of which were dedicated to addressing root causes of poverty, such as affordable housing, workers’ rights, and economic inequalities.

From day one at my training in Washington DC, my eyes were opened to the realities of these challenges. I met with and heard from people virtually who were struggling to make ends meet, despite working multiple jobs. I learned about the barriers that prevent many from accessing basic needs such as affordable healthcare or housing. These experiences began to humanize poverty for me in a way that simple statistics or news reports never could. It became clear to me that poverty is not just a lack of material resources, but often a result of systemic injustice that requires both feet of love in action.

Throughout the internship, the guiding principles of Catholic Social Teaching were ever-present. I learned that CST is not just a theoretical framework, but rather, a call to action rooted in the dignity of the human person, solidarity, and the prioritization of the poor and vulnerable. The principle of subsidiarity, which emphasizes the importance of empowering local communities to address their own challenges, became particularly meaningful to me. Watching and learning about CCHD-funded organizations put this principle into practice — by organizing primarily grassroots efforts and fostering leadership among those most affected by poverty — showed me the power of community-based solutions.

One of the most impactful moments of my internship experience was attending training in Washington DC. It was extremely powerful, impactful and eye-opening for me. Meeting so many different young Catholics from all over the U.S. was incredible. Although we all come from different backgrounds, cultures and life experiences, we all share a common Catholic identity. Catholic means universal, and I truly experienced this at the training in DC. I still talk to many of the folks I interned with, who are now all over the world doing amazing things for others.

The CCHD internship also offered valuable opportunities for personal and professional growth. I developed skills in community organizing from my other team members, learned how to conduct better research on social justice issues, and participated in public policy advocacy efforts. These experiences honed my leadership abilities and gave me more practical tools for addressing social injustices. In team meetings and discussions, I was always encouraged to reflect on my faith and how it informed my work. Through this constant reflection, I came to see that addressing poverty and injustice is not just a social obligation, but rather a moral and spiritual one, grounded in the Gospel message to love and serve our neighbors.

Now, as I continue in my professional journey as Volunteer Coordinator at Emergency Services at Catholic Charities, I often draw on the lessons I learned during my time as a CCHD intern in the Social Concerns department. The experience deepened my commitment to social justice and equipped me with the proper skills to work for systemic change. Whether in my current role or in future endeavors, the principles of CST continue to guide my efforts to build a more just and compassionate society, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have been part of this meaningful program.

Pictured above: Liz Hamak hands a book to each member of the winning class for the annual CCHD Art on the Magins contest May 17, 2024 at St. John’s Area School in Foley.