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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Grateful, Grateful, Grateful

Even when faced with hard times Shanta has chosen to be grateful. Support from people like you made all the difference when the pandemic hit and her family was facing homelessness. Double your impact on more families with a gift today.

April 20, 2021

“You truly have blessed my family. We could have been homeless. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” ~ Shanta

Shanta knows the Queen City like the back of her hand. Born and raised here, she worked for 20 years as a bus driver for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. In early 2020, she had recently traded her bus route for a room full of preschoolers and was also taking online classes in healthcare management. She was set to graduate soon and had even ordered the graduation invitations.

Then came the devastating blow of the pandemic. With her two sons, ages 15 and 10, suddenly thrust into virtual learning, Shanta says, “I wasn’t focused on me and my schooling. I was focused on getting my kids logged in.” Figuring she could postpone graduation until the following semester, Shanta withdrew from her class and directed her attention to her sons’ education and wellbeing. With several preexisting health conditions putting her family at high risk for COVID, she was also forced to quit her job.

DOUBLE MY GIFT
Shanta and her sons

With her income having disappeared overnight, past due rent started to pile up and the threat of homelessness loomed large. Then YOU stepped in to keep Shanta and her boys safely housed and optimistic about the future.

DOUBLE MY GIFT

Thanks to donations from people like you, a visit to Crisis Assistance Ministry and a telephone interview with a caring caseworker led to a payment directly to Shanta’s landlord to clear the past due rent, leaving her with a clean slate going forward.

“Grateful, grateful, grateful” is how Shanta describes herself today. To those whose generous support made the assistance she received possible, Shanta says, “I speak on behalf of my kids. I speak on behalf of everyone who loves me. You truly have blessed my family. We could have been homeless. That’s why I try to give back as much as I can, and I appreciate others who do the same. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

With vaccines more readily available and coronavirus cases decreasing, Shanta looks forward to getting her boys back in school and herself back to work. “COVID really isolated me from everyone and everything. It’s been a lot, all the stuff I’ve been going through. But it’s all right. I’m working through it.”

DOUBLE MY GIFT

You can double your impact on individuals in our community facing financial crisis by making a gift before May 31. All donations up to $1 million will be matched by a group of passionate supporters who came together to amplify your gifts.

Because of You 2X As Many People Will Avoid Eviction and Remain Stably Housed

Filed Under: Agency News, Campaign, Customer Stories Tagged With: #Challenge2021, #DoubleYourImpact, #MakeYourMatch, #PreserveDignity, #PreventHomelessness

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Recent Posts

  • Picture of someone wearing a dark blue volunteer shirt.More Than Just Stocking Shelves
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  • Still Image of Happy Group Of Diverse Male And Female Protesters Walking With Rainbow FlagThe Hidden Crisis in LGBTQIA Housing Instability
  • Biby To Lead Advancement at Crisis Assistance Ministry
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Crisis Assistance Ministry

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  • (704) 371-3001
  • 500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
  • Tax ID:
    EIN 56-1416719
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Recent Photos

crisisassistmin

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🥳What better day than Fashion Day to help our neighbors with back-to-school needs! 
🔗Check out exactly what is needed, hit up your favorite retailer, and grab a few polos and khakis. 
👖Ship them directly to us or drop them off at our Drive Thru Tuesday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or Saturday, 10 a.m. to  3 p.m., and we'll get them into the hands of CMS students through our Free Store and Partner Agency Network.

crisisassistmin

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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

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