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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Shavonna’s Next Chapter

Last year, Shavonna's family struggled through chronic illness, furloughs, COVID-precautions, and more. But Shavonna's story is bigger than that. She's a survivor, a mother, a teacher, a caregiver. She's someone who encouraged others to fulfill their potential while questioning her own. Until now.

July 15, 2021

Last year, Shavonna’s family struggled through chronic illness, furloughs, COVID-precautions, and more. You can read about her financial crisis and how your generosity kept her housed until her employment returned in this story from December 2020.

But Shavonna’s story is bigger than that. She’s a survivor, a mother, a teacher, a caregiver. She’s someone who encouraged others to fulfill their potential while questioning her own. Until now.

“You can start where you are right now and change the ending”

– Shavonna

After her immediate emergency was resolved, Shavonna was invited to participate in Customer Advocate training. Over eight sessions, individuals who have been served at Crisis Assistance Ministry share their stories, learn how the community discusses poverty, practice public speaking and storytelling, and develop their own mission statement. In the end, participants are empowered with the tools to advocate for themselves and their neighbors.

What Shavonna found through the program was a sense of community and an insight into her own strength and resilience.

“I realized I have so much to offer and that all my life I’ve been giving,” she says. “I’m an advocate for children, I’m an advocate for single parents, I’m an advocate for women who’ve been dealing with domestic violence, I’m an advocate for people who’ve been overweight all their lives that want to feel like they are worth being around. I’ve been that all my life and never realized it until this class.”

For Shavonna, what began with a single payment to keep her family safely housed became a life-changing opportunity to find herself and her next chapter. Her ability to love and inspire others will continue to enrich our community throughout her lifetime. Thank you for making that possible for Shavonna and so many others in their moment of need.

As she looks back on her own journey, Shavonna is enthusiastic about her future. “I’m ready, so let’s get started.”

Filed Under: Customer Stories Tagged With: Civic Engagement, Customer, Customer Advocate, Customer Advocates, Shavonna

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
Preserving dignity.
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  • (704) 371-3001
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  • Main Office:
    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
  • Tax ID
    EIN 56-1416719

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Meet Stacey! Her journey at Crisis Assistance Ministry has been truly transformative. Just like Stacey, you can be a part of positive change.
🎁 One donation of any amount can keep families stably housed and warm during these chilly months. ❄️
🎉 Your generosity is a lifeline to our neighbors experiencing the threat of eviction or loss of utilities. You can restore the hope, warmth, and light of home on our website today.

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Come feel the JOY at Steve's Coats for Kids collection going on right now at @WSOCTV!  It's a great day to celebrate 20 years of keeping kids warm. Thank you @SteveUdelson!

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Are you a Mecklenburg County homeowner with rising property taxes? Mecklenburg County HOMES grants are available to offset a portion for qualifying homeowners. MANY more people qualify than have applied and these $ really can help families stay in their homes. Take a look and see if you or someone you know might need to apply:  https://www.wfae.org/business/2023-11-30/lots-of-tax-relief-available-but-not-many-takers-among-mecklenburg-homeowners

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What a great day to celebrate 🎉 Loved Ones and help spread hope and warmth too! It was a 🐻 #beary good time with volunteer extraordinare @janehixson and friends. We even got a visit from founder Caroline Love Myers!

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🎉Today is Giving Tuesday, a global celebration of generosity and kindness. Join us in making a difference by donating items that directly help those in need. 

👕🧣🎒From clothing to household goods, your contributions will have a tangible impact on many lives. 

Let's make this Giving Tuesday a day of extraordinary kindness and giving. Share, participate, and be a part of this global movement of generosity!

Check out our Wish Lists!

https://crisisassistance.org/donate/donate-clothing-household-goods/ 
https://crisisassistance.org/donate/donate-via-amazon-wishlist/

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Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed Thanksgiving weekend beginning Thursday, November 23. All areas will be closed to customers, donors, staff, and community members on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Typical business hours resume on Monday, November 27.
ONE MORE THING: We are so grateful for you and the role you play in creating a community that lifts up struggling neighbors. Here's to a holiday filled with as much hope, warmth, and light as you have provided others! 
https://crisisassistance.org/2023/11/22/thanksgiving-and-the-spirit-of-community/

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It turned out to be an IDEAL morning for hot beverages and pastries. @oakstreethealth  sponsored this visit from @jesskakesllc's Sweet Truck, providing hot coffee, hot chocolate, and assorted pastries (free of charge) to families seeking assistance here @CrisisAssistMin today.  #Volunteers from Oak Street and the @MecklenburgCounty Attorney's office helped out in sometimes pouring rain to be sure everyone was warm and well-nourished. SO #THANKFUL every day for the support of our business community as we work together to stabilize Charlotte-Mecklenburg families.

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We are ALWAYS #thankful for corporate #volunteers like this team from @ally! They helped stock the store with clothing, shoes, warm weather gear, and other household items offered at no cost to shoppers from Mecklenburg County homes. With the help of folks like this, an average of 80 families daily find the essentials they need to meet their basic needs and rebuild financial stability for the future. THANK YOU!

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Heading into this week of #thankfulness, what would it be like at your house without warmth, without light,  without the joy that comes from celebrating gratitude and hopefulness in a safe home?
What do we really mean when we ask you to Give Hope, Warmth, & Light to area families? 
It means lifting up neighbors like this mom of three, who is SO grateful to be in stable housing, to be rebuilding her family's stability, and to regain hope for a brighter future for her little ones. It means coming together as a community to share resources and encouragement with hardworking neighbors who need a little help to get through a financial crisis and move back toward self-sufficiency.
Learn more about their story, and how you can help this season, on our website or the bio link.

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