Love for the Poor, 2448"). With these words and teachings of the Church, I took it as my duty to help those in need, realizing that, although we may be classed as a rich country, we still have the same social problems as many so-called third world countries. Through the past 20 hours of service at Project Open Hand, I have learned a great deal about poverty in the country in which I live and have seen the relevance of the teachings of the Catholic Church. Although I myself was greatly surprised by how little I knew about the poverty situation in the United States, there is a great deal of awareness of this crisis in such places as Project Open Hand. It is through the work being done at Project Open Hand that I see the Church's teachings about the preferential treatment of the poor and vulnerable become a reality. This treatment for the poor is not contingent on the needy individual's religious beliefs, but is based on Catholic values.

Overall my experience has...

Though it is not always overtly religious in nature, the underlying principles may come from Catholic-based values. People choose to help those who are weaker, more vulnerable, and more in need than the rest of us. As a result of my experiences, my views and assumptions about the poverty situation in the United States have been greatly altered. I believe that I now have a better understanding of the poverty crisis in America as well as the socially-aware frame of mind to help address the problem.
Bibliography

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Catholic Campaign for Human Development.

"Poverty USA: The State of Poverty in America." Poverty in America. Web. 22 Apr. 2010.

"Article 7: The Seventh Commandment, VI. Love for the Poor, 2448." Catechism of the Catholic

Church: Second Edition. Web. 22 Apr.…