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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Transportation Equity: The Often-Forgotten Aspect of Poverty

When you think about poverty, transportation is probably not the first issue that comes to mind. But having a reliable and affordable means of getting around town is fundamental to accessing vital resources.

September 24, 2021

When you think about poverty, transportation is probably not the first issue that comes to mind. But having a reliable and affordable means of getting around town is fundamental to accessing vital resources. That access, in turn, is key to economic wellbeing. 

The ability to get back and forth to work, take children to daycare, arrive on time for medical appointments, and shop for food and other essentials is basic to a family’s financial stability. However, owning a car is prohibitively expensive for many households, involving a monthly payment, insurance, gas, inspections, taxes, and maintenance. 

Public transportation is the only alternative for many households, but it brings a different list of barriers. In cities like Charlotte, where the bus system was designed with routes that branch out from a central hub, riders are often forced to take a circuitous trip involving multiple buses with lengthy wait times in between. A commute that might take a car owner 15 minutes to drive can easily consume 90 minutes or more of a public transit rider’s day. That lost time can translate directly to decreased wages, missed doctors’ appointments, less quality time with loved ones, and increased stress. 

Of course, a community’s transportation system involves more than just its roads, private vehicles, and public transit. Factors such as safe options for walking and biking, and the equitable distribution of those assets throughout all neighborhoods, play an essential role in creating transportation equity. 

A recent Discover Magazine article entitled “Green Spaces Are a Necessity, Not an Amenity” outlines the many ways spending time outdoors in nature improves our mental and physical health. However, the article reports that 70% of low-income communities lack access to green spaces. The negative consequences for children growing up without safe outdoor areas for walking, biking, and playing can be lifelong. 

Locally, the Charlotte Regional Transportation Coalition envisions a community that is fully and equitably connected. With dozens of members ranging from organizations and nonprofits to churches and individual community members, the coalition’s mission is to support transportation choices that connect people to jobs, education, housing, healthcare, healthy food options, art, cultural resources, and each other. 

According to the coalition, it costs an average of $15,700 per year to own and drive a car in Charlotte. Couple that with the fact that an average one-bedroom apartment here rents for over $1,400 a month, or $17,000 a year. Then consider that a full-time worker earning $15 an hour, often thought a living wage, makes $31,000 a year before taxes. The math is straightforward: that worker cannot afford both an apartment and a car in Charlotte.  

Many families served at Crisis Assistance Ministry find themselves caught within this triangle of low-paying jobs, increasingly expensive housing, and the challenge of transportation in the Queen City. Achieving financial stability, let alone economic mobility, is practically impossible when expenses exceed income each month. 

As we strive to create a sustainable and equitable community for everyone who lives here, it is critical not to overlook the importance of transportation. Ensuring that our most vulnerable neighbors have the physical means to connect with opportunities for health and prosperity is one of the best investments Charlotte-Mecklenburg can make. 

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: discover magazine, green spaces, Poverty, transportation, transportation equity

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
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    Charlotte, NC 28206
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We can't wait for next month's LIVE MUSIC tribute benefitting families served here. Rock Star Randy Franklin has put together a great show at @theeveningmuse featuring @kennyroby of @6stringdrag and other local musicians in a tribute to the craft of songwriting. This show has been known to sell out, so you'll want to grab your tickets soon. (Use the Quick Link in our bio)

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Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed Monday, July 4, 2022, in observance of the Independence Day holiday. Typical hours resume on Tuesday, July 5. 😎

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Happy New Year! 🎉
Our staff celebrated the beginning of a new fiscal year with smiles and a few popsicles this afternoon. Every one of them counts it an honor to serve our neighbors here.
Thanks for helping us continue serving families in financial crisis throughout the year 😎

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Pssst . . . we've got plenty of room for group and individual #volunteers this summer (and even this fall). These great folks from @wellsfargo helped prepare donated clothing for Free Store shoppers yesterday. Meanwhile, individual volunteers helped get customers connected to emergency financial assistance. You can find the perfect opportunity for you OR your teens by visiting our VOLUNTEER tab on our website. (link in bio)

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This volunteer team from @CareRingNC's Nurse Family Partnership brought a burst of energy Friday as they inspected and hung clothes in the warehouse and then helped stock the Free Store. We had a hard time keeping up with them, but with their help the store is now stocked and ready for up to 60 Mecklenburg County families per day to shop free-of-charge thanks to the generosity of our community. And the store looks fabulous, thanks to awesome #volunteers!

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Rising fifth-grader Haley knows what she wants. Accompanied by her mother, she combs the aisles of Crisis Assistance Ministry's Free Store looking to find just what she needs for her upcoming trip to camp. An avid reader, Haley is among 150+ area scholars who will attend overnight camp this summer with the help of @wayfindersnc. Mom Amber is focused on the basics, but then a new summer companion catches Haley's eye. Join her on her shopping trip at the link in bio: Meet Haley's New Friend

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The ONE Charlotte Health Alliance mobile unit will be back onsite Wednesday AND Thursday this week. Wednesday (9 am to 4 pm) will focus on Free HIV Testing, and Thursday (10 am to 3 pm) will include a variety of health screenings.
No appointment is necessary.

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Crisis Assistance Ministry is closed today to observe Juneteenth. But the question remains: while Juneteenth commemorates the arrival of legal emancipation for formerly enslaved people, when will we loose the chains of economic disparity and move our community toward a place of equity? Read more in today's blog at the link in our bio.

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Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed on Monday, June 20, 2022, in observance of Juneteenth. Typical business hours will resume on Tuesday, June 21.

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