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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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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.

June 14, 2019

Edith in the Free Store
Hear Edith’s story in her own words, with a little help from our narrator.

Edith Highsmith is back at Crisis Assistance Ministry with a smile on her face ready to give back. But this wasn’t always the case.

Over 20 years ago, she and her husband, Ed, moved to Charlotte from Columbia, S.C. looking for a fresh start. As an experienced librarian and Air Force retiree they thought they would find jobs easily, but it took longer than they expected and in the meantime, they drained their savings.

Even after they found jobs, they realized the apartment they were living in was too expensive. They were able to get out of their lease and find a more affordable place to live. But without any financial reserves, they turned to Crisis Assistance Ministry for help with the deposit and first month’s rent.

“The main thing about it was it was a turning point,” Edith says of the life-changing assistance. “After that, we didn’t have any more trouble.”

Today, Edith is retired and her husband has passed away. She considers Charlotte her home and wants to give back to a place that gave her so much hope for the future.

Remembering that one-time rent assistance which put her and Ed back on the road to financial success, Edith came back to Crisis Assistance Ministry to volunteer and make a significant gift.

“This just seemed like the perfect place to volunteer because I wanted to give back,” she says.

Sometimes all it takes is a helping hand to make a huge difference in someone’s life and change their story for the better.

Filed Under: Customer Stories, Donor Stories, Volunteer Stories Tagged With: Donor Stories, Edith Highsmith, Financial Assistance, Volunteer

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
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  • Main Office:
    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
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Recent Photos

crisisassistmin

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We had an unusual 🐿️ visitor this morning. While we DO specialize in stabilizing families through emergency basic needs and financial empowerment, our services are designed for neighbors of the human variety! 🤣 
Fortunately, our little squirrel buddy has been successfully relocated to the outdoors where they can continue to take care of their family too 😁 🎉

crisisassistmin

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Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew 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. Tickets are free, but required. Seating is Limited. <Link in Bio>

crisisassistmin

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We aren't throwing a big party, but we ARE asking friends and neighbors to make a direct contribution to help stabilize families facing a financial crisis. Your help with this Non-Event will make more stories like this one possible. Join us with a gift to help neighbors avoid eviction and loss of utilities and to empower more people with the tools to rebuild financial stability for themselves. Don't Save a Date . . . Save A Future.

crisisassistmin

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We love sharing our mission with corporate #volunteers like this team from @humana today. Thanks to their help, families will find essentials like clothing, shoes, school supplies, and household goods—free of charge— in our store while they continue to build financial stability. #thankful

crisisassistmin

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Instead of planning a fancy gala, we're inviting you to skip the party (and all those costs) and instead make a direct contribution to stabilize families experiencing financial crisis right here in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
It's our NonEvent 2023, and 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.
SAVE A FUTURE: https://crisisassistance.org/mobility

crisisassistmin

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What a wonderful day to welcome #volunteers from @DukeEnergy during their Summer of Service. Nearly 100 Duke employees spent part of their day helping with everything from painting barrels to inspecting donations and stocking the store. A GREAT way to spend a Friday here in the Queen City!

crisisassistmin

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This might look like a #Barbie appreciation post, but actually it is a shout out to Team @duke_energy and the 100+ folks who spent their day as #volunteers here today!

crisisassistmin

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Starting the day with a wonderful snack ministry from @elevationchurch for day 6 of #loveweek2023! Thank you for making sure families seeking help today have a little nourishment along the way.

crisisassistmin

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Today's LOVE WEEK 2023 #volunteers from @elevationchurch created no-sew blankets for families who shop here free of charge, staffed the checkout counters in the store, and prepared newly arrived clothing from corporate donors for future shoppers. With help like this, more than 80 people per day find essentials to help stabilize their families when they visit our Free Store. #thankful #loveweek2023

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