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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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What We’re Reading: Our Top 10 Discussion-Provoking Books

A Few Thousand Dollars: Sparking Prosperity for Everyone. Author and Prosperity Now founder Bob Friedman makes the case for a revised tax code that could fund a universal savings program in order to close the racial wealth divide in America.

January 13, 2019

  • A Few Thousand Dollars: Sparking Prosperity for Everyone. Author and Prosperity Now founder Bob Friedman makes the case for a revised tax code that could fund a universal savings program in order to close the racial wealth divide in America. 
  • The Color of Law:  A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America, by Richard Rothstein. Debunks myths about racial discrimination and explores how government at all levels systematically imposes segregation. 
  • Money Rock: A Family’s Story of Cocaine, Race, and Ambition in the New South. Former Charlotte Observer reporter Pam Kelley tells the true story of a reformed ‘80s cocaine dealer whose life illuminates our city’s legacy of segregation.  
  • Color and Character: West Charlotte High and the American Struggle over Educational Equality, by Pamela Grundy. The complicated history of West Charlotte, once a model of integration but now segregated and low-performing. 
  • Sorting Out the New South City: Race, Class, and Urban Development in Charlotte, 1875-1975. Charlotte historian Tom Hanchett traces the city’s evolution over the course of a century, illustrating that segregation was not always the norm. 
  • Scarcity: Why Having Too Little Means So Much, by Sendhil Mullainathan and Eldar Shafir. Examines compelling research from behavioral science and economics to explain, among other things, why poverty persists.  
  • The Broken Ladder: How Inequality Affects the Way We Think, Live, and Die. Psychologist Keith Payne examines how inequality creates not only differences in economics but also in life expectancy, work performance, and family size. 
  • Shortchanged: Why Women Have Less Wealth and What Can Be Done About it, by Mariko Lin Chang. Explores why, despite women now earning more college degrees than men and steadily narrowing the wage gap, the typical woman has only 36 cents for every dollar of wealth owned by the typical man. 
  • Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Matthew Desmond that explores the complexities of unstable housing and offers possible solutions. 
  • The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, by Michelle Alexander. Argues that our criminal justice system “functions as a contemporary system of racial control.”

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: Eviction, Poverty, Recommended Reading

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  • What is H.R. 1 and Why Does It Matter to Crisis Assistance Ministry and You?
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Crisis Assistance Ministry

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  • (704) 371-3001
  • 500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
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    EIN 56-1416719
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🎓🎓🎓Look CLOSELY at this video. You'll see a group, but each extraordinary individual within it carries a story of resilience that knows no bounds. As we congratulate our newest customer advocate class, we're also honoring their unique experiences and eagerly anticipate their advocacy moving forward. Collectively, their stories powerfully illustrate the challenges many families navigate when seeking help during a crisis.

This year, as we mark our 50th Anniversary, our Customer Advocate's #LivedExperiences are only a few of #50StoriesofCrisisAssistance Ministry we're sharing— demonstrating stories of resilience and the support that helps individuals regain stability.

crisisassistmin

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Happy Independence Day as we celebrate freedom in all its forms— including the freedom to pursue housing and financial stability! We cheer on all those working hard to build a secure future for themselves and their families. #FinancialFreedom #IndependenceDay

Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed on July 4th. We will resume normal business hours on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

crisisassistmin

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Inspired! Last week, the Middle School Ministry from Thomas Road Baptist Church (Lynchburg, VA) @ThomasRoad traveled over 200 miles to serve our Mecklenburg County neighbors.

Despite the heat, these young people delivered 150 snack packs and cold water and meticulously stocked the Free Store with dignity. 

There's always a place for volunteer groups here. Head over to our link in bio to sign up.

crisisassistmin

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"It could have been way worse... I was on the emergence of a deployment and I couldn't get any help here from family and friends."

George, an active service member, courageously shares his #LivedExperience of facing a financial crisis while deployed. He found a lifeline at Crisis Assistance Ministry, securing vital rental and utility assistance. Since 1975, we have been here lifting up our neighbors so that no one has to face financial hardship alone.

For 50 years, neighbors like George have found what they needed at Crisis Assistance Ministry to achieve financial stability. His is just one of #50StoriesofCrisisAssistance Ministry we're sharing in recognition of #50yearsofhopeCLT.

crisisassistmin

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🚨ATTENTION: A new bill in Congress, H.R. 1, proposes significant cuts to vital safety-net programs for Mecklenburg County families. This could impact food security, healthcare, and energy assistance for our most vulnerable neighbors.

At Crisis Assistance Ministry, we believe everyone deserves basic dignity. Learn why these potential changes matter to our community and how it may affect you.

➡️ Tap the link in bio for full details.

crisisassistmin

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Full circle moments! ✨ In our 50th Anniversary year, we were so honored to welcome students from @queensuniv, carrying forward a legacy started by our founder, Queens alumna Caroline Love Myers!

This amazing group spent their afternoon meticulously stocking our Free Store and processing incoming donations – turning generous gifts into dignified essentials for families in crisis.

These students reminded us that these shelves stay full because of YOU, our incredible material goods donors! Your contributions directly empower families. Want to keep this legacy of compassion thriving? Learn how to donate goods: Link in Bio!

crisisassistmin

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🥵 We are feeling the Charlotte heat! For many neighbors, staying cool isn't just about comfort—it's critical. Extreme heat disproportionately impacts lower-income communities due to factors like urban heat islands and historical disinvestment.

Here at Crisis Assistance Ministry, the community comes together to help households pay their utilities, ensuring families can have air conditioning or running fans during these sweltering days. You can be the neighbor to help keep the electricity on! Link in bio to learn more and give.

crisisassistmin

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Twenty-five years of heart. 25 years of steadfast leadership. ✨ We're honoring our CEO, Carol Hardison, for a quarter-century of dedicated service to Crisis Assistance Ministry and our neighbors. It's remarkable, especially considering she's only the second CEO in our 50-year journey!

Want to help us celebrate this amazing milestone? Flood our comments with a "Happy Anniversary Carol!" 👇Don't forget to tag her @carolinthehouse
#HappyAnniversaryCarol #Leadership #CommunityHero #CrisisAssistanceMinistry #Charlotte

crisisassistmin

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Meck County and the City of Charlotte have opened cooling stations across the area, including:
•	Day Service Centers
•	Recreation & Senior Centers
•	Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries
•	Spraygrounds, Pools & Beaches!

PLUS, CATS (@ridecats) is offering FREE transportation to cooling stations.

This is critical for a variety of populations, including those experiencing homelessness, seniors, and families struggling with utility costs. Access to cool spaces and resources like fans (available from Mecklenburg County DSS for eligible residents!) can literally be life-saving.

KNOW THE SIGNS: Heat illness is preventable! Drink water, limit activity, and seek cool spaces. Spread the word! Visit @mecklenburgcounty for more details.

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