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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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How the American Rescue Plan of 2021 Could Transform Poverty

For the hardworking families served at Crisis Assistance Ministry, and millions of others like them across the country, the American Rescue Plan of 2021 has the potential to be life changing.

March 16, 2021

 For the hardworking families served at Crisis Assistance Ministry, and millions of others like them across the country, the American Rescue Plan of 2021 has the potential to be life-changing. 

Now that President Joe Biden has signed the $1.9 trillion-dollar COVID relief plan into law, experts and everyday people alike are examining the details to understand its true impact. Fortunately, indications are that it will have the greatest positive effect on those who have suffered the most during the pandemic, who are disproportionately lower-income people of color. 

Four components of the plan – the $1,400 direct payments to individuals, extended unemployment benefits, increased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, and expansion of the child tax credit – are projected to have transformative effects on millions of vulnerable families.  

According to a recent report by the Urban Institute, these four elements may slash child poverty in half this year, reduce the overall poverty rate by one-third, and lessen the disparity in poverty rates for households of color compared to white households in 2021. 

Here in North Carolina, the bill’s increased childcare tax credit is expected to lift 137,000 children in our state out of poverty, according to NC Policy Watch. Furthermore, the bill provides broader benefits to children overall with 92% standing to benefit from this boost to their parents’ budget. 

smiling girl and boy
Image: https://unsplash.com/photos/awqZwqtnxXE 

The American Rescue Plan not only raises the maximum amount of tax credit per child but makes that credit available to parents whose incomes were previously too low or too high to claim it. In addition, checks will be sent periodically throughout the year rather than in one lump sum at tax time, making money available for families to use as needed. 

Some analysts point out that the American Rescue Plan’s provisions are targeted at kick-starting recovery from the devastation of COVID-19 so their effects may well be temporary. Others believe the success and popularity of many of the plan’s approaches could lead to permanent changes and usher in a new way of addressing poverty and economic disparities. Certainly, the idea that a relatively modest influx of cash for families can result in a dramatic decrease in poverty and as increased financial stability for lower-income households is gaining traction with policymakers. 

At Crisis Assistance Ministry, the average family’s rent or utility crisis is solved with a $400 payment to the vendor. If these families’ tight budgets were eased through policies that put some hard-earned money back into their hands, they would have a greater ability to plan, save, and resolve their own financial emergencies. All families desire that level of stability, freedom, and dignity.  

The American Rescue Plan of 2021 is a sweeping piece of legislation encompassing a wide variety of actions designed to save lives, stabilize families, and bolster the economy.  Along with the four key provisions discussed above, the package includes money to help reopen schools, aid with rent and utilities, revitalize the restaurant industry, and expand health care, among other actions.  

For more details, refer to The National Law Review’s summary of the plan or the full text of H.R.1319-American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. 

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: american rescue plan, childcare tax, childcare tax credit, covid relief, crisis assistance, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Poverty, snap, supplemental nutrition assistance program

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

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    Charlotte, NC 28206
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What's in your closet that could help out a neighbor in the warmer months? 
Spring has sprung here in the Queen City. That means the needs of families shopping, free of charge, at @CrisisAssistMin are changing too. 
You can help meet their needs with donations of new or gently used clothing, shoes, or household goods or by signing up as a volunteer to help receive, inspect, and prepare donations for shoppers.

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THANKS for all you do to give back in #CLT.

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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.

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