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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Restoring Home For Lakisha And Her Family

Working mother Lakisha is grateful to the community partnerships and volunteer labor who helped restore and furnish her family home after a devastating roof collapse.

January 27, 2020

When Lakisha’s grandparents left her the house she grew up in, it felt like a blessing. But then, a water break and a roof collapse turned her dreams into a nightmare.

She spent many nights crying and praying, trying to figure out a way out of the situation. She even considered just giving up and selling.

Nightmare to Miracle

Finally, she found Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte, a non-profit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize communities. In Charlotte, the group happened to be focusing on Lakisha’s very neighborhood. It felt like a miracle.

Rebuilding Together’s army of volunteers and contractors went to work restoring the structure. Once the water damage and mold were eliminated, the roof was rebuilt and the walls and floors were restored to pristine condition. Still, Lakisha was facing an empty space filled with nothing but memories. All the furniture in the home had been damaged beyond repair.

So, she was referred to Crisis Assistance Ministry where Lakisha and her children were able to select essentials from donated items. Next, volunteers from Elevation Church loaded and unloaded her freshly sanitized mattresses and recently built dressers.

Volunteer hugging and carrying a boxsprings into an open door.
Volunteers unload box springs for Lakisha’s family. ­Donated mattresses and bedsprings are cleaned and ­sanitized before being distributed free-of-charge to ­individuals and families in need.

Joy and Gratitude

It felt like one more miracle. As repairs began to wind down and furniture began to arrive, her worry was replaced with joy and a deep sense of gratitude. “It hit me all at once,” she says. “It was like the angels are singing. It’s really happening.”

Lakisha began to feel the presence of her grandparents and to picture her children “laughing, playing, rippin’ and runnin’” in the home once more.

And when she finally sets the table for family dinner again? “I know my grandparents will be here — I know they’re watching. It’s going to be so exciting. I know they would be so proud.”

She’s so grateful for the partnership between Rebuilding Together and Crisis Assistance Ministry and for all the community support that came together to restore home for her family.

“Thank you. It really is a blessing.”

Filed Under: Customer Stories Tagged With: Elevation Church, Furniture, Furniture Bank, Partnerships, Rebuilding Together of Greater Charlotte

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

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

crisisassistmin

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These community-minded Deltas celebrated Founder's Day last week by inspecting and preparing donated goods for Free Store shoppers. With their help, families shopping free of charge will find essentials to help them live with dignity this week.

crisisassistmin

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The King Center's theme for MLK Day 2023 is "It Start's With Me: Cultivating A Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems." Fifty-five years after his death, we still see the impacts of unjust systems every day at Crisis Assistance Ministry.  Read more in this weekend's blog (link in bio)

crisisassistmin

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Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of  Martin Luther King Day. The office will be closed to all customers, volunteers, staff, and donors. Typical hours resume on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

crisisassistmin

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Families in Charlotte, and across the country, are struggling to make ends meet. Inflation has outpaced wage growth. People are working harder than ever but still falling behind on rent and utilities. People need more money. But could we use policy to get more money into the hands of those who need it the most? This week's blog takes a look at the potential for Guaranteed Basic Income here in the Queen City. (Link in bio)
📷 courtesy of @stocktondemo

crisisassistmin

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Just one more day before we're back to "normal." So, @CrisisAssistMin is closed January 2, 2023,  and will return to typical business hours tomorrow, January 3.
(Financial assistance 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Free Store by appointment 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Donation drop off 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

crisisassistmin

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Wishing you hope, warmth, & light in the new year and beyond.
(P.S. @crisisassistmin will be closed tomorrow, January 2, and reopen with typical hours on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.)

crisisassistmin

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"Everybody wants to have that light shine."
Nikki shares what the holidays mean to her family as we reach the end of the year.  Looking back, she's grateful for the help of the community to get her through a financial crisis and back on her feet moving toward economic mobility.
Thousands more families will seek that same kind of help -- to stay safely housed, to keep utilities flowing, to provide clothing and household goods, and to rebuild financial stability -- in 2023.
Visit our quick links to learn more and to make a tax-deductible year-end gift to help more of our neighbors in the coming year.
Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Crisis Assistance Ministry wishes the hope, warmth, and light of home to all those who celebrate Kwanzaa this week.

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This snack ministry was a little different. Ashley (a.n.outlaw)  from @nachoaveragetruck wanted to provide hot food to neighbors seeking financial assistance or waiting to shop for essentials in the Free Store. So, she brought freshly made beef or veggie burritos and a caring smile to @CrisisAssistMin on a very cold day. It's so inspiring when the community steps up in BIG and small ways.

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