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

Small Miracles Lead to Big Impact

Kim is a portrait of resilience and persistence. After a medical emergency and a job layoff left her and her children at risk of eviction, she turned to Crisis Assistance Ministry for help. Thanks to community support, she found a way forward and few “small miracles” along the way.

William Has Good News Thanks to You

William had it all – a happy family, a wonderful place to live, and a great job. All of that changed quickly and unexpectedly. With your help, his story on the upswing and he wouldn’t be smiling without your support.

Surviving the Heat With Your Help

Disabled by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, Richard is fighting to keep his family afloat in the midst of yet another crisis. When his family’s old HVAC unit failed just as temps began to rise, you stepped in with life-saving assistance.

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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.

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.