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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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You Helped Patricia and Her Son Rebuild Their Lives

When her husband walked out on her, Patricia and her 15-year-old son Jamil were plunged into an unfamiliar world of financial distress. Fully disabled after a surgical mistake years earlier, Patricia had relied on the income from her husband’s job to pay the mortgage and other bills. Left with only her monthly Social Security disability payments, she soon found the situation unmanageable.

January 11, 2019

When her husband walked out on her, Patricia and her 15-year-old son Jamil were plunged into an unfamiliar world of financial distress. 

Fully disabled after a surgical mistake years earlier, Patricia had relied on the income from her husband’s job to pay the mortgage and other bills.  Left with only her monthly Social Security disability payments, she soon found the situation unmanageable. 

When child support payments suddenly stopped, Patricia desperately took out a title loan on her car.  Then a second and a third. Soon, nearly half of her income was going toward the interest. With her house on the brink of foreclosure and her utilities scheduled for disconnection, she found her way to Crisis Assistance Ministry for help. That day, your support provided emergency payments directly to the utility companies to keep power and water on.  

With the immediate crisis averted, Patricia enrolled in the agency’s Economic Mobility Program and met regularly with a caseworker over the next 90 days. Working together, Patricia set personal goals and laid out a plan of action. Over time, Patricia successfully refinanced her mortgage, eliminated one title loan, and reduced the amount of another. 

When Patricia shared that her stove was broken and she was making do with a crockpot and fast food, a replacement was provided. Soon, Patricia and Jamil were eating home-cooked meals in their kitchen again. “They gave me a brand-new stove,” she said.  “I was so grateful.” As winter approached, she was able to shop free-of-charge for shoes and coats to keep them both warm. And finally, when Jamil was being repeatedly bullied at school, Patricia found the courage to demand better treatment for her son. 

She credits the one-on-one coaching sessions with empowering her to make changes not only financially but also personally.  In fact, she has become an active volunteer with the agency, sharing her story in hopes of inspiring others to reach their full potential.   

Patricia is so grateful for the help she found here, thanks to you. 

“It’s more than I ever expected. It’s a beautiful place to find help.” – Patricia 

Filed Under: Customer Stories Tagged With: Customer, Economic Mobility, Family, Financial, Furniture

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
Preserving dignity.
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  • (704) 371-3001
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  • Main Office:
    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
  • Tax ID
    EIN 56-1416719

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As we take time out this Memorial Day weekend to remember those who sacrificed on our behalf, Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed to all customers, staff, donors, and volunteers on Monday, May 29, 2023. Typical business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 30.

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This family of five signed up to provide snacks for families who seek assistance here because "everyone could contribute." 17 year old Lydia wrote messages, 13 year old Spencer washed apples, Mom packed crackers, Dad packed cookies, and 6-month-old Isaiah cheered everyone on.
With summer ahead, there will be even more need for snack packs to share with the families served here. You can find this and other volunteer opportunities on our website.

#volunteers

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Should North Carolina Implement Child Tax Credits?
Expanded federal child tax credits were a lifeline for many families during the pandemic. But those expansions have expired and aren't likely to be renewed at the federal level. North Carolina could implement its own credit to help families struggling to make ends meet. 
You can learn more about the benefits and decide what you think at the link in bio. #NCChildTaxCredit #FightPoverty #PreserveDignity

crisisassistmin

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Thank you for a fabulous National Volunteer Week! You inspire us every day with your commitment to help all of our neighbors achieve financial stability.

crisisassistmin

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As expanded Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits end, hunger-fighting groups expect a surge in demand at food banks and warn that SNAP recipients may fall back into poverty. Some studies estimated that the Emergency Allotments during the pandemic reduced child poverty by 14% in 2021. This week we ask who will suffer now that these benefits have expired in North Carolina and all remaining states? (Read more through link in bio)

crisisassistmin

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Meet Ed Holland, a grandfather who gives back consistently and finds hope in helping others who are experiencing a financial crisis. In less than two minutes, hear his hopeful outlook, what fuels his community involvement, and his invitation to join the Challenge going on right now to help more families who visit Crisis Assistance Ministry for help. #DoGoodCLT #DoubleYourImpact

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Yesterday was a great day to celebrate #volunteers with so many great groups "in the house!" First up:  two sets of high schoolers from opposite sides of the Atlantic. 
📷 1 & 2:  Teens from West Charlotte HS who serve consistently, always getting stuff done in our warehouse.
📷 3:  High school students from all the way in France via Charlotte Latin School who also spent time preparing donated goods for Free Store shoppers.
We ♥️ our teen volunteers who bring so much energy to their visits here.

crisisassistmin

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Shout out to every neighbor who showed up and shared their time to help other neighbors get through a financial crisis and rebuild stability.
#volunteers #thankyou #DoGoodCLT #fightpoverty #NationalVolunteerWeek

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Crisis Assistance Ministry is excited to announce that local Charlotte leaders are coming together to help YOU double your impact this Spring.  Thanks to the generosity of Howard and Julie Levine - Howard R. Levine Foundation; Anna & Ed McMahan; and Kasey & Stuart Proffitt every contribution (up to $500K) will be matched now through May 31.
Will YOU rise to the challenge with a gift to help provide more individuals and families meet their basic needs, develop the tools to overcome financial adversity, and chart a path beyond the crisis toward financial security?

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