At Cross Catholic Outreach, we ultimately want families to become self-sufficient so they no longer need to rely on others for support. Our microenterprise programs play an important role in achieving this goal. They allow our ministry partners to offer job training and equip individuals with the resources to launch small businesses or be more productive when working the land.
In 2022, U.S. Catholics supported nine of these microenterprise programs in eight countries, empowering families to make the most of their God-given potential.
For example, in fiscal year 2022, you and other generous Catholics funded social and economic empowerment programs in Ethiopia that provided women with training, startup capital and mentorship to launch small businesses. In Haiti, we partnered with Father Glenn Meaux’s Kobonal Haiti Mission to empower more than 1,000 people with small-business loans.