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.
Our Programs
Basic Needs
Mecklenburg County families receive help with life’s basic needs: emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing, household goods, furniture, beds, and appliances.
Economic Mobility
The Economic Mobility Program helps families move towards financial security and introduces pathways to economic opportunity. Enrolled families are given the opportunity to work one-on-one with a caseworker for an hour per week for up to 90 days.
Civic Engagement
In a vibrant city like Charlotte, it’s easy to overlook the fact that many are suffering amid affluence. Our Civic Engagement Program increases awareness of the complex issues facing more than 100,000 neighbors in Mecklenburg County living in poverty.
By the Numbers
Children Benefiting from Our Services
Children under 18 made up 42% of those benefiting from Crisis Assistance Ministry services.
Hear Pulitzer Prize-winning Matthew Desmond
We are proud to partner with Davidson College to co-host Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond on their campus. Desmond’s thought-provoking message will help us understand the systemic issues contributing to poverty and inspire us to be part of the solution here in our own community.
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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.
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Duke Energy Brings Summer of Service Here
On an extremely hot day in August, nearly 100 Duke Energy employees swarmed Crisis Assistance Ministry with energy, enthusiasm, and genuine concern for their neighbors. Led by Harry Sideris, executive vice president at Duke Energy, colleagues from their Customer Experience, Solutions & Services group inspected and prepared donated items, stocked the store with new and gently used clothing and household goods, and spruced up donation barrels for use in the community.
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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.
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You Can Shop for Good
A new school year is on the horizon, and over 40 public schools in Mecklenburg County require uniforms for students. For some families, having the right combination of colors, in the right sizes, after a summer of extra costs can be daunting. You can easily help out by visiting Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Wish List to point. click. and ship.
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On Juneteenth, Equity, Equality, and Freedom
Juneteenth marks a celebration of freedom—at least in the legal sense of the word. But it also evokes several bitter truths surrounding emancipation and its legacy. We see the ripples of that legacy here every day as we work to help our neighbors whose struggles are made more difficult by the social and systemic legacies of chattel slavery in the United States.
As we reflect on a historic moment in time, we can’t overlook the centuries of disenfranchisement that have followed legal emancipation and consider whether true freedom, equity, and equality have yet to arrive for many of our fellow citizens.
Community Impact Report
In fiscal year 2022, your support made it possible for Crisis Assistance Ministry to assist more than 40,000 individuals within more than 17,000 Mecklenburg County households.
Together, we continued to prevent homelessness, preserve dignity, and foster stability for low-income neighbors facing a financial crisis. Read about it in our Community Impact Report
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Ed is Hopeful for the Future
Ed Holland is a grandfather, a volunteer, and an all around good guy. He’s seen plenty of struggle as he connects with people in the community, but he also sees hope.
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Celebrating Volunteers
Nearly every day, volunteers share their time and their energy to support of Crisis Assistance Ministry’s critical mission: to provide assistance and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency. During National Volunteer Appreciation Week, and every week, we salute every neighbor who pitches in to strengthen this community in priceless ways.
Read MoreCrisis Assistance Ministry Advances Agency Strategy with a New Senior Leader
Crisis Assistance Ministry announces a new senior leader and a growing team responsible for advancing the agency’s mission. Adam Cline becomes chief advancement officer responsible for leading all philanthropic activities and will help lead a new chapter in Crisis Assistance Ministry’s growth.
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Four Ways to Help Families This Spring
As seasons change, many families discover the need to refresh their wardrobes: children have grown, last summer’s shoes are worn out, and there’s not a matching set of socks to be found. For low-wage earners, these needs can wreck a carefully balanced budget. Here are four ways you can help these neighbors meet their basic needs this season.
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Will Medicaid Expansion Help Mecklenburg?
This long-awaited move by North Carolina will provide welcome relief to many low-wage earners who often are not offered health insurance through their employers. Considering the struggles of working families here in Mecklenburg County, there are certainly thousands who will benefit from Medicaid expansion in our own community. Based on evidence from other states, it’s likely all of us will reap the benefits of improved community health, lower eviction rates, and a stronger safety net for our neighbors.
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