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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Sandra and Reuben Are Reaching for Stability

When Sandra and Reuben first met their Economic Mobility caseworker, they were at their wit's end. They were about to lose their electricity and water. They didn't know how they would afford his medical supplies. Their finances were, Sandra admits, “overwhelming.” But your generous support is helping them reach for stability again.

April 2, 2020

When Sandra and Reuben first met their Economic Mobility caseworker, they were at their wit’s end. They were about to lose their electricity and water. They didn’t know how they would afford his medical supplies. Their finances were, Sandra admits, “overwhelming.”

A lifetime on her own

Having lived her first 60+ years as a single woman working in the insurance industry, money wasn’t something she really thought about.

“It was just something that came in and went out,” says Sandra. She wasn’t rich, but she didn’t really have to struggle either. She bought a house, had nice clothes, and lived within her means — for the most part. “I thought budgets were something for other people,” she adds.

When retirement came, she didn’t think too much about the impact of a fixed income, the loss of employer-provided healthcare, and all the things that can accompany aging. Instead, she threw herself into her church and started volunteering at the Men’s Shelter.

Enter Reuben

Then, she met Reuben. His life had been very different from her own —often a hand-to-mouth existence that left no room for financial education or planning ahead. Still, having spent her whole life alone, their unlikely romance seemed “heaven-sent.” In 2013, they married and began a life together.

Things were good at first. But, with no experience budgeting and few tools to talk about money together, they weren’t equipped to manage an onslaught of injuries, diagnoses, and related costs. Debt piled up. Bills fell behind. Things just kept getting worse. By the time they sought help through Crisis Assistance Ministry, her house was in jeopardy too.

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT

Thanks to your support, a trained caseworker was able to stop the disconnections and keep their power and water flowing. Next, Sandra, Reuben, and their caseworker Randee began to dig into the reality of their finances over the course of several meetings.

“Just putting it all down on paper was eye-opening,” says Sandra. “It really helps to have someone to talk everything through with. Randee listens, makes suggestions, and helps us come up with a plan. Then we can work on it together at home.“

Now, Reuben and Sandra are talking about money, planning their budget, even couponing, as a team. Reuben is making Native American jewelry that honors his heritage while he awaits approval for disability benefits. Over a few months time, they have gone from an urgent crisis to staying current on their bills. They are making hard choices, living within their means, and rebuilding their credit.

“It was hard for me to ask for help because I was used to being the helper,” says Sandra. “But I don’t think we could do this without the things we’ve learned here.“

Moving forward together

There are still struggles. Without health insurance, the cost of Reuben’s diabetic supplies and other medical needs are daunting. Sandra has fallen a few times and required treatment. But, they are moving forward together thanks, in part, to the strategies and knowledge they gained through the Economic Mobility Program.

Your support made their hard work possible. Because of you, Reuben and Sandra remain safely housed and are now reaching for economic stability — even in this time of uncertainty.

DOUBLE YOUR IMPACT

You can be the helper in the lives of our neighbors in need by making a gift today. Your gift will matched up to $250,000 by a generous group of individuals now through April 30.

Filed Under: Campaign, Customer Stories Tagged With: #Challenge2020, #DoubleYourImpact, #MakeYourMatch, Customer, Economic Mobility, Financial Assistance, Health

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
Preserving dignity.
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  • (704) 371-3001
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  • Main Office:
    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
  • Tax ID
    EIN 56-1416719

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It's the little things! We're so grateful to #volunteers who sift through donations, inspect and hang them, sort them into sizes and genders and adult vs. children and so much more. Did you know that volunteers as young as 11 can help out onsite with adult supervision and 16-year-olds  can volunteer on their own?
Many volunteer roles are urgently needed to help provide for the basic needs of our neighbors while preserving dignity for struggling families. Check out the volunteer tab on our website to find your spot!

crisisassistmin

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While getting out of town is great, you shouldn’t knock the staycation. You can have good old summer fun right in your own backyard. Here are today's ideas for summer fun that keeps you close to, or at, home. (Bonus: these adventures won’t break the bank so you’ll have a little left to help more families #savehome with a gift by August 31.) 
1. Watch the fireflies.
2. Visit one of Charlotte-Mecklenburg's splash parks, or run through a sprinkler.
3. Clean your closet (we promise this is fun). Bring gently used uniforms to Crisis Assistance Ministry, and we will add them to our Free Store.

crisisassistmin

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With a few precious weeks of summer left, it’s time to get out there and HAVE FUN!

This week, we're sharing a whole list of inexpensive summer adventures close to home—some even in your own backyard. 
Bonus: they won’t break the bank, you’ll have a little left to #savehome for more families during #CLTSavesHome, our Non-Event fundraiser, by August 31.  Tag us @crisisassistmin or hashtag us at #CLTsavehome and let us know what you're doing! 

Want the whole list right now? ---> https://bit.ly/3JG5H1v

crisisassistmin

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With a few precious weeks of summer left, it’s time to get out there and celebrate summer with this list of inexpensive summer adventures close to home—some even in your own backyard. 
Bonus: since they won’t break the bank, you’ll have a little left to #savehome for more families during #CLTSavesHome, our Non-Event fundraiser, by August 31. (You can get to the list through our bio) Tag us @crisisassistmin or hashtag us at #CLTsavehome and let us know what you're doing!

crisisassistmin

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With a new school year quickly approaching, many families in @charmeckschools could use help getting their youngsters ready for the classroom with uniforms in the right size and  right color, especially after a summer of extra costs. There are several ways for you to help your neighbors and community members - with time to spare before school starts. Visit the link in the profile for ideas.

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You do not want to miss Saturday's benefit concert featuring @kennyroby of @6stringdrag, Randy Franklin & the Sardines, and more local musicians in a Tribute to the Art of Song benefiting families served here at @CrisisAssistMin! Grab your tickets now using the Quick Link in our Bio.

crisisassistmin

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It feels like #LOVEWEEK flies by each year! Join us in giving huge thanks to these #volunteers from @elevationoutreach for their joyful energy this week. Teams from @elevationchurch helped inspect and prepare donated clothes for our free-of-charge store and provided refreshments for our customers. What a way to pour LOVE over Charlotte's nonprofits and the people we serve!

crisisassistmin

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Happy National Interns Day! We've had the privilege of hosting three amazing college-age interns this summer.  Eleanor and Will helped launch Benefits Access for customers awaiting assistance, while also pitching in with volunteer coordination.  Katelyn (& her whiteboard) planned communications for our School Uniform drive that kicked off last week. All three are heading back to college shortly and we are going to miss their smiling faces and willing spirits. Watch for their individual blogs about their summer over the next few weeks!

crisisassistmin

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HUGE thanks to our friends at @metrotech.automotive and @Loweshomeimprovement for sponsoring our 2022 NonEvent: #CLTSavesHome! 
You can join them by making a gift to help #savehome for other families in Charlotte-Mecklenburg without interrupting your summer. (link in bio)

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