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.

Possibilities for Families Like Sierra’s

Imagine what it feels like for a mom to wonder if her children will have a place to call home tomorrow.

Picture a father’s unimaginably difficult choices when the rent is due, the power bill is lagging, and children need clothes to start school.

For too many in our community, these scenarios are all too real.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

By the Numbers

for fiscal year ending June 30, 2024

Families Served

More than 18,198 households were served in person or through local partnerships. 

$

Average Financial Assistance per Emergency

On average, a family may receive $677 in rent and/or utility assistance.

%

Children Benefiting from Our Services

Children under 18 made up 41.2% of those benefiting from Crisis Assistance Ministry services. 

MLK Day 2025: 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.

Read More

Another Giving Tuesday in the Books

This year’s Giving Tuesday changed lives. We are happy to announce that this is Crisis Assistance Ministry’s second successful year participating in Charlotte’s Giving Tuesday. Crisis Assistance Ministry’s team divided and conquered by simultaneously attending the SHARE Charlotte’s Headquarters Giving Tuesday’s interactive rally for nonprofits and The Greater Charlotte Apartment Association’s Giving Tuesday event where […]

Read More

Panther’s Adam Thielen Celebrates Resilient Families

On a cold winter’s night just before Christmas, visions of sugar plums were spotted dancing through Crisis Assistance Ministry’s lobby. The event, hosted by Adam & Cait Thielen and The Thielen Foundation, honored 20 families who have been served by Crisis Assistance Ministry and have worked hard to rebuild financial stability for themselves and their […]

Read More

How Can We Not Help?

Every year, we collect thousands of coats for distribution through our Free Store and Partner Agency Network. Temperatures have dropped while there are still thousands without power and/or water in about ¼ of our state. We can help keep people warm by sharing the cold weather gear—hats, gloves, coats, blankets—so generously donated by our community. 

Read More

August Volunteers Embody the Spirit of International Day of Charity

This International Day of Charity is the perfect time to highlight the incredible power of giving back and the positive impact volunteers make on our community. So many volunteers came together this summer to make essentials available to families struggling with housing instability.

Read More

Teen Volunteers Find Purpose + Fun

It’s a recurrent question: where can my high school student volunteer and meet school community service requirements? How can my teen get involved? Where can I volunteer with my whole family?
At Crisis Assistance Ministry, teens are encouraged to bring their energy and enthusiasm to help stabilize their neighbors. Teens aged 16+ can volunteer in select roles independently, and children aged 10 to 16 can serve with a supervising adult.

Read More

Possibilities for Families Like Sierra’s

Imagine what it feels like for a mom to wonder if her children will have a place to call home tomorrow.

Picture a father’s unimaginably difficult choices when the rent is due, the power bill is lagging, and children need clothes to start school.

For too many in our community, these scenarios are all too real.

Read More

Bridging the Gap: Addressing Poverty’s Role in Shaping Education

Education and poverty are intertwined, much like the “chicken and egg” dilemma. Investigating how the quality and accessibility of education can either reinforce or break the ongoing cycles of poverty underscores the critical role that education plays in either trapping individuals in poverty or providing them with the tools to escape it. This perspective is crucial in understanding the real-world implications of these cycles and the potential power of education as a transformative force.

Read More

How Can A School Uniform Improve Housing Stability?

Families across Charlotte are scrambling to prepare their children for school as summer winds down. Over 40 schools in Charlotte require uniforms, largely those with high concentrations of poverty, which leaves many families struggling to find and afford quality uniforms for their children. You can help by contributing new and gently used items right now.

Read More

The Best Party You’ll Never Attend

Imagine the best party of the year is one you don’t even have to attend! Instead you get to go for a hike, read a book, or just hang with the family while helping a struggling neighbor stay in their home, keep their utilities flowing, and create a plan to rebuild their financial stability. IMAGINE the possibilities you can create this summer.

Read More

Community Impact Report

Our Community Impact Report details the difference made for families experiencing the financial gap in Charlotte-Mecklenburg in the most recent fiscal year.

Read More

More Than a Job

Meet Chelsey Fisher, the dedicated Financial Stability Caseworker recently honored as Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Employee of the Year. Her story isn’t just about professional achievement, it’s a testament to the transformative power of this organization.

Read More

Ready to learn more about how you can help
Make a Difference?