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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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North Carolina Ranks 37th on Prosperty

Weathering a financial storm is essential for all families to build towards a stronger future. New data about the financial health of our state highlights where disparities exist that prevent individuals and families from reaching economic freedom in five areas: financial assets and income, businesses and jobs, homeownership and housing, health care and education.

January 29, 2020

FROM FINANCIAL SECURITY CLT

Weathering a financial storm is essential for all families to build towards a stronger future. New data about the financial health of our state highlights where disparities exist that prevent individuals and families from reaching economic freedom in five areas: financial assets and income, businesses and jobs, homeownership and housing, health care and education.

According to the 2020 Prosperity Now Scorecard, North Carolina ranks 37th on prosperity for its residents. One in four households are unable to make ends meet while employed in low-wage jobs and working multiple jobs doesn’t ensure stability for many families. For example, 48% of renters across the state are cost-burdened.

Racial economic inequality further limits opportunities to prosper, with North Carolina ranking 26th in racial disparity. For example, the homeownership rate of White households is 74% compared to 45% for Black households and 46% for Latino households. Additionally, over 60% of households of color are liquid asset poor in North Carolina as compared to 33% of White households. People of color throughout the state have more than double the uninsured rates than those of Whites. Evenly distributing resources to address racial wealth inequity is crucial.

North Carolina has adopted eight of 28 policies to support economic inclusion and mobility. “This scorecard compels us to advocate for stronger policies so that families can thrive and prosper,” said Stephanie Cooper-Lewter, Executive Director of Financial Security CLT. “Working together to remove barriers to savings, earning, health and financial security, we can further boost resilience, opportunity and financial well-being for all.”  

Member organizations of Financial Security CLT see first-hand the impact of these inequities which inspired the coming together of this coalition and vision to positively impact the racial wealth gap and improve financial security of Charlotteans. Our members include Care Ring, Charlotte Center for Legal Advocacy, Communities in Schools, Community Link, Council for Children’s Rights, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont, GreenLight Fund Charlotte, Latin American Coalition, Leading on Opportunity, Urban League of Central Carolinas and YMCA of Greater Charlotte.

About Financial Security CLT

Financial Security CLT is a coalition of nonprofit organizations working in Mecklenburg County who share a belief that financial security is the underpinning of economic mobility. The ability to weather financial emergencies, share equitably in economic opportunity, and plan for a brighter future is a vision shared by all coalition partners through our differing individual missions. We work collaboratively to help families get on and stay on a path to greater financial security through empowerment and asset building. Our vision is to improve the financial security and knowledge of residents of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, especially in communities of color, and create economic opportunity for all.


Headshot shows Stephanie Cooper-Lewter.
Stephanie Cooper-Lewter is Executive Director of Financial Security CLT.

Stephanie Cooper-Lewter is executive director of Financial Security CLT, a coalition of nonprofit organizations working in Mecklenburg County who share a belief and commitment to helping families get on, and stay on, a path to greater financial security.  She previously served as executive director of Leading on Opportunity, successfully leading efforts through the first phase of implementing the recommendations of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Opportunity Task Force Report. 

Filed Under: Advocacy, Agency News Tagged With: FinancialSecurityCLT, Prosperity Now, Stephanie Cooper-Lewter

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    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
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What do you do when you miss out on the big dance? 
Well, these Charlotte area #Tarheels pitched in to unload a truckload of donated goods and prepare them for families who shop free of charge in the Free Store. Thanks to these @charlottecarolinaclub #volunteers, it's always a #GDTBATH! 
THANKS for all you do to give back in #CLT.

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Happy St Patrick's Day!  This big ole batch of 400+ granola bars will provide a little bit of sustenance to waiting families thanks to @MeckKidz from @meckchurch. Youth used "Meck Bucks" earned for participation in activities to purchase bars for the snack ministry here @CrisisAssistMin

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We loved hosting these visiting Bisons from @howard1867 as they lived out their motto of Excellence in Truth & Service here in #CLT. Thanks to them families will find essentials, free of charge, here in the @CrisisAssistMin Free Store. #volunteers

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Happy International Women's Day!
Today we take a look at how this year's theme of Embrace Equity affects the people (and mostly the women) served here at Crisis Assistance Ministry every day.

Observed worldwide on March 8 as a celebration of “the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women,” International Women’s Day is also a global call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

The theme for this year’s observance is “Embrace Equity.” Organizers at International Women’s Day (IWD) encourage everyone to “Imagine a gender-equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated.” 

While great strides in gender equality have been achieved since women gained the right to vote in 1920, there is still much work ahead. Consider these indicators of the gender gap in the United States:
- Women full-time workers earn, on average, 82 cents for every dollar earned by men
- American women earn less than men in all industries, with the most significant pay gaps in management positions
- The construction industry has the smallest gender pay gap, but only 9% of construction workers are women
- Unpaid work like housekeeping and caring for children falls mainly to women 

Read More at the link in our bio

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The theme for Black History Month 2023 is “Resistance”, a single word that encompasses so much. Through the centuries, a long line of brave and committed Black Americans have battled injustice, some on the public stage and others behind the scenes. But for every high-profile or large-scale act of resistance, countless others go unnoticed. Every day at @CrisisAssistMin, we see brave and committed Black Charlotteans struggling to resist the forces of an unjust society right here in Mecklenburg County.
Read "Black History Month: Resisting the Status Quo" at the link in our profile.

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It was a beautiful weekend to share (more than) @onewarmcoat with our neighbors! Our friends from One Warm Coat finished up their working retreat by distributing brand new coats to families right here in our parking lot. So many smiles, a few tears of relief, and a lot of runway spins were shared.

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We 💙 💙 💙 it when community members create their own "Army" to celebrate birthdays and other milestones in each others' lives. Thanks to these #volunteers from "Eric's Army," shoppers this week found essentials like clothing, shoes, and household goods free of charge. Together, we #preservedignity for #CLT families who are struggling financially.

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We're excited to have @QCfamilytree share their expertise as our staff digs into the impact of systemic racism here in Mecklenburg County and its impact on the people served here. Thanks Greg, Helms, & Shamaiye for taking time to help us begin these important conversations.

crisisassistmin

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Saturday was hopping with these volunteers from an area Honor Society and @meckchurch making sure Free Store shoppers will find essentials free-of-charge this week! Thank you #volunteers for making it possible to serve our neighbors' basic needs.

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