Help, Hope & Understanding

for people struggling with limited financial resources

Mission & Vision

The  mission  of Crisis Assistance Ministry is to  provide assistance  and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency.
Our  vision  is to inspire our community to justice and generosity as we provide help, hope, and understanding to people struggling with limited financial resources.

George’s Story: You Are Not Alone

George might have returned from deployment to a home with no heat, no lights—maybe even no home at all. As a young dad facing a financial crisis and tough decisions, he found help and hope at Crisis Assistance Ministry through the support of our community.

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The Real Meaning of Hope, Warmth, & Light

Hope. Warmth. Light. What do these words really mean? What happens when they are taken away? Joe’Asia knows that fear, but she’s now able to share warmth with her family thanks to the help of neighbors like you.

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One Easy Thing You Can Do To Help Families In Need This Holiday Season

It’s hard enough to make ends meet at any time of the year. But during the holiday season? Not only is it harder, but it’s also disheartening.

When you have mouths to feed, bills to pay, and little ones to clothe and keep warm, trying to manage it all during the busiest time of year seems impossible.

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Here’s What You Make Possible

It’s not too late to make stories like the one Carol shares here possible. You won’t need to attend a big gala, hire a babysitter, or order an Uber. Instead, make a direct contribution to help stabilize nearby families facing a financial crisis.

Your gift will help hardworking neighbors escape the threat of eviction or loss of utilities while empowering families with the resources to stabilize their families . . . and their future.

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Summer Adventures Made Possible By You

Antonio and Angel were among 50+ local youngsters who headed off to traditional summer camp or college exploration camp this summer with the help of the community.  Wayfinders, a local nonprofit organization, funds summer activities for these students and matches them with year-round mentors from fourth grade through high school graduation. On their journey, they carried an array of clothing, toiletries, blankets, and other essentials found during a special shopping day at Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Free Store.

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Overcoming Challenges, Reclaiming Purpose

After watching dementia slowly take her mother, battling her own depression, and ultimately retiring due to health difficulties, things got hard for Deborah. Loss of income and grief overtook her, and before long she was, in her own words, “sitting alone in the dark, with no lights, no food, and too much pride to ask anyone for help.”

That’s when the master’s prepared social worker found herself somewhere she never imagined: sitting across the desk from another social worker, seeking help to dig herself out. There, she remembers being met with kindness, concern, and hope.

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Basic Needs

Mecklenburg County families receive help with life’s basic needs: emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing, household goods, and appliances.

Economic Mobility

One-on-one coaching empowers Mecklenburg County families to rebuild financial stability and pursue economic opportunity. Participants collaborate with a specialist for approximately 90 days to identify barriers, set goals, and create a plan for the long-term stability of their families.

Civic Engagement

In a vibrant city like Charlotte, it’s easy to overlook the fact that many are suffering amid affluence. Our civic engagement and community education efforts increase awareness of the complex issues facing more than 100,000 neighbors in Mecklenburg County living in poverty.

By the Numbers

Families Served

More than 18,500 households were served in person or through local partnerships. 

$

Average Financial Assistance per Emergency

On average, a family may receive $579 in rent and/or utility assistance.

%

Children Benefiting from Our Services

Children under 18 made up 42% of those benefiting from Crisis Assistance Ministry services. 

Reflections on Black History Month 2024: Artists, Trailblazers, and the Racial Wealth Divide

Black History Month serves as a reminder of the resilience, strength, and contributions of Black Americans throughout history. It’s also an opportunity to confront the challenges and injustices that persist, including the racial wealth gap. We at Crisis Assistance Ministry know that through collective will and action, our community can honor the legacy of Black history while working toward a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and prosper, regardless of race or background.

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Why VITA Is So Vital to Our Community

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is an often overlooked but invaluable resource for families across the country, including many of the people served at Crisis Assistance Ministry. Aimed at promoting financial wellness and administered by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), VITA relies on trained volunteers to provide free tax preparation services to eligible taxpayers. The FREE tax return service is available through two Mecklenburg County agencies this year.

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MLK Day 2024: Upholding the Dream

MLK Day invites us to consider how we can contribute to creating communities founded on love, compassion, and understanding. For nearly 50 years, we at Crisis Assistance Ministry have been working on the front line to do just that by providing help, hope, and understanding to people struggling with limited financial resources.

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Stacey’s Journey of Strength

You can usually find Stacey in the warehouse working with volunteers to keep the Free Store stocked for families who shop free of charge each day. But what is her personal connection to our mission? What keeps her motivated as a part of the Crisis Assistance Ministry team?

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How You Can Make a Difference This Giving Tuesday

At Crisis Assistance Ministry, we embrace this day with open arms and invite you to join us as we celebrate 10 years of #GivingTuesdayCLT, a local, community-wide celebration led by Share Charlotte that involves hundreds of local nonprofits and thousands of caring Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents like you.

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Thanksgiving and the Spirit of Community

Beyond the sumptuous feasts and festive parades, Thanksgiving embodies the power of community and the spirit of giving. Here at Crisis Assistance Ministry, we see that power every day as you reach into our lobby and offer help, hope, and understanding to neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet.

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One Easy Thing You Can Do To Help Families In Need This Holiday Season

It’s hard enough to make ends meet at any time of the year. But during the holiday season? Not only is it harder, but it’s also disheartening.

When you have mouths to feed, bills to pay, and little ones to clothe and keep warm, trying to manage it all during the busiest time of year seems impossible.

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Can We Really Abolish Poverty?

For Pulitzer Prize-winning author and sociologist Matthew Desmond, the answer is YES!
During his recent visit to Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Desmond brought both data and passion to the discussion of why America is one of the richest nations on earth, yet has “more poverty than any other advanced democracy.”

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Steve’s Coats for Kids Keeps Neighbors Warm

It’s October and some mornings bus stop temperatures have already been in the 40s. For many parents, that means discovering that last year’s coat no longer fits their 2nd grader. You can join neighbors from across the region who will help kids stay warm through Steve’s Coats for Kids.

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Will Medicaid Expansion Help Mecklenburg?

This long-awaited move by North Carolina will provide welcome relief to many low-wage earners who often are not offered health insurance through their employers. Considering the struggles of working families here in Mecklenburg County, there are certainly thousands who will benefit from Medicaid expansion in our own community. Based on evidence from other states, it’s likely all of us will reap the benefits of improved community health, lower eviction rates, and a stronger safety net for our neighbors.

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Hear Pulitzer Prize-winning Matthew Desmond

We are proud to partner with Davidson College to co-host Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond on their campus. Desmond’s thought-provoking message will help us understand the systemic issues contributing to poverty and inspire us to be part of the solution here in our own community. 

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