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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Without You, Victoria Might Be Lost

Victoria knows how to stretch a dollar. But since the pandemic hit, even her usual budgeting and savings strategies have been extended to the limit. Thanks to donations from people like you, she has stable housing, cleaning supplies, and other household essentials—all with her dignity intact.

May 5, 2021

“I was raised to be self-sufficient and give service, not to ask someone else for service. It’s very humbling.” ~Victoria

Victoria, who does everything she can to make ends meet on her own

Victoria would be facing a much harsher reality without the hope and help she found here from people like you.

“Truly, if I didn’t have Crisis Assistance Ministry, I would not have survived this year. I might be in a tent in the woods,” Victoria explains. In fact, she confides, she keeps a tent on hand just in case.

Disabled by chronic health issues since 1995, Victoria knows how to stretch a dollar. She keeps a garden. She raises chickens with a friend’s help. She turns the heat off on March 15 and doesn’t turn it back on until November. In between, she says, “I just have to wear more clothes, drink tea, or have soup to stay warm.”

She lays out her budget: mortgage (less than even the most inexpensive apartment nowadays), power, water, food. All on a monthly disability check and a few odd jobs when she’s able.

“Any little thing puts me in the situation where I have to ask for help,” Victoria says. The pandemic forced her to give up outside work because of her high-risk conditions. She let her car go to avoid the cost of gas, insurance, and maintenance. She began to read by candlelight and lantern, taping light switches “off” so she didn’t turn them on accidentally. Anything to reduce costs. Still, she couldn’t keep up.

Finally, she ventured out—taking every precaution—to visit Crisis Assistance Ministry where she was glad to see CDC guidelines being observed. She found cleaning products, boots to keep her safe in the garden during early spring rains, and some kitchen tools to help transform her harvest into healthy meals. Thanks to your support, emergency payments were also made to keep her power and water flowing.

“The thing about chronic poverty is people make assumptions,” adds Victoria. “Many times your human dignity is lost. But I never felt that way at Crisis Assistance Ministry. No one here treats me in a way that would turn my humility into humiliation.”

Thank you for preventing homelessness while preserving dignity for Victoria and so many others.

Filed Under: Customer Stories Tagged With: #Challenge2021, #DoubleYourImpact, #MakeYourMatch, #PreserveDignity, #PreventHomelessness, Customer, Financial Assistance, Free Store

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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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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

crisisassistmin

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Meck County and the City of Charlotte have opened cooling stations across the area, including:
•	Day Service Centers
•	Recreation & Senior Centers
•	Charlotte Mecklenburg Libraries
•	Spraygrounds, Pools & Beaches!

PLUS, CATS (@ridecats) is offering FREE transportation to cooling stations.

This is critical for a variety of populations, including those experiencing homelessness, seniors, and families struggling with utility costs. Access to cool spaces and resources like fans (available from Mecklenburg County DSS for eligible residents!) can literally be life-saving.

KNOW THE SIGNS: Heat illness is preventable! Drink water, limit activity, and seek cool spaces. Spread the word! Visit @mecklenburgcounty for more details.

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