Impact

2017-2018 By the Numbers

Individuals Served

More than 50,000 individuals were served in person or through local partnerships.

Average Financial Assistance per Emergency

On average, a family may receive $392 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.

Customer Stories

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This Great-Grandfather Is Cooking Again With Your Help

At nearly 82 years old, Frank has many stories to tell. “I’m going to hit 100,” he says. “I’m a fighter from the word go.” But, when he hit a wall financially, he turned to the community for help.

Mother and son shop for jeans in the Free Store

Partnership Fuels Summer Adventures

Wayfinders NC, formerly known as Bruce Irons Camp Fund, provides year-round enrichment and summer camp experiences for local students. A visit to the Free Store makes those adventures possible for families already struggling to make ends meet.

Edith Knows the Power of A Little Help

Edith and her husband came to Crisis Assistance Ministry over 20 years ago when they were facing homelessness. Recently, she returned to the agency to give back financially and volunteer in the Free Store.

Father and son stop to show off a green hoodie that's just right during their shopping trip in the Free Store.

Summer Possible for Father and Son

Father-son duo Noel and Aidan are looking forward to Aidan’s overnight camp trip thanks to Wayfinders as they bring their long camp shopping list to the Free Store. It’s the perfect solution to a Dad’s summer wish for his son.

Finding a Voice and a Way Forward, with Your Help

For over twenty years, Sheila worked at the same fast food restaurant, making salads for little more than minimum wage. After all that time, she earned just a dollar an hour more than the day she started. When a cut in her hours brought her to Crisis Assistance Ministry seeking assistance, her path began to change.

Octavia and Her Family Are Cool Again With Your Help

Octavia prayed she would find a way to cool her home again after a landlord failed to repair the only window unit in her 3-bedroom home.
Despite working five days a week to support herself and her two children, she didn’t have enough cash left after bills to do anything about it on her own. To top it off, the crushing heat made it harder to manage her recent Lupus diagnosis. Then, during one of the hottest weeks of the summer, the community answered her prayers.

Free Clothing & Household Items Distributed

Mecklenburg County residents received more than 1,000,000 items free-of-charge through the Free Store.

Value of Free Clothing & Household Items

More than one million household items were distributed to customers at a value of $3.2 million.

Average Mattresses Distributed per Month

Mecklenburg County residents received an average of 212 mattresses per month.

Preventing homelessness. Preserving dignity.

For over 40 years, Crisis Assistance Ministry has been here to meet families’ most basic needs addressing challenges brought by the community’s explosive growth and economic transition.

By keeping families in their homes with utilities flowing, we prevent homelessness for those who are housing insecure.

By providing clothing, shoes, household items, furniture, beds, and appliances free-of-charge, customers can divert limited financial resources towards essential bills.

By empowering customers to set personal goals and address the factors that contributed to their financial crisis, through regular meetings with a caseworker, families get on a path to economic mobility.

By educating the community about the realities of poverty and lack of economic mobility, we put a face on the problem, serving as a voice for those served.

Average Customer Income

Families receiving financial assistance earned an average gross monthly income of $1,341 compared to $5,466, the average for Mecklenburg County.

Customer Income Obligated to Rent, Utilities

On average, customers seeking assistance had 73% of their income obligated to pay rent and utilities.

Emergency Housing Assistance

Your generosity enabled families in need to receive $2,437,704 in emergency housing assistance.

Agency Work Performed by Volunteers

27% of the work of Crisis Assistance Ministry is performed by volunteers.

Local Leaders Engaged in Poverty Simulations

2,073 local leaders experienced Poverty Simulations led by Crisis Assistance Ministry.

of Every Dollar Donated Goes Directly to Programs

For every dollar donated, 91 cents goes directly to support programs.