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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Latin American Coalition Partnership Breaks Down Barriers

39% of Latino adults report having difficulty paying basic household expenses compared to 23% of white adults. A partnership with the Latin American Coalition allows families to overcome barriers of language, transportation, childcare, and cultural understanding while seeking assistance with urgent needs.

August 30, 2021

One of the many gaps COVID-19 has spotlighted is the disproportionate impact of poverty on minority households, including those of Latin American descent. While federal stimulus packages did provide some relief, the effects were short-lived, especially for households of color. Recent Census Bureau data shows 39% of Latino adults report having difficulty paying basic household expenses compared to 23% of white adults.

  • Alba Sanchez

Alba Sanchez sees the real-life impact of these statistics every day in her role at the Latin American Coalition in Charlotte. As a “community of Latin Americans, immigrants, and allies that promotes full and equal participation of all people,” the Coalition fills many gaps of immigrants and their families. Over the past 18 months, Alba has worked directly with many families facing urgent needs due to interruptions in employment, low wages, injury, and yes, COVID-related illness.

“Often this is the only place they feel safe. We offer assistance with a variety of services, adapted to our community’s needs, and in their own language,” she explains. “Our clients face many barriers, and our job is to support them as they integrate into our community.”

Alba tells the story of a 53-year-old Mexican immigrant who was assaulted on her way to work and lost more than a month’s income due to her injuries. About that same time, she had a visit from Mariagrazia, a first-generation American worried because an injury was keeping her from working and she had already run through her savings during COVID-restrictions. Through the Coalition’s Partner Agency relationship with Crisis Assistance Ministry, both women were able to receive emergency rent and utility assistance while they recovered.

Mariagrazia, a hardworking mother who found help when an injury prevented her from working and put her family at risk of eviction.

The partnership allows families to overcome barriers of language, transportation, childcare, and cultural understanding while seeking assistance with urgent needs.

“Crisis Assistance Ministry is the only place that specifically addresses such basic needs and prevents families from becoming homeless and suffering all the trauma that comes with that,” Alba adds. “When I see [families] crying because there is help for them, I just want to thank you so much.”

Filed Under: Agency News, Customer Stories Tagged With: Alba Sanchez, COVID-19, Latin American Coalition, Partner Agency, Partnerships, Rent Assistance

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

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    500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
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We've got a special shout out to @championhouseofcare and @beyoubegreatnonprofit for their tireless commitment to helping the seniors displaced from Magnolia Apartments since Christmas Day. @CrisisAssistMin is proud to be working alongside these passionate grassroots organizations and @housingcollab_ to help craft individual plans to get our neighbors back into stable housing while ensuring their basic needs continue to be met.

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These community-minded Deltas celebrated Founder's Day last week by inspecting and preparing donated goods for Free Store shoppers. With their help, families shopping free of charge will find essentials to help them live with dignity this week.

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The King Center's theme for MLK Day 2023 is "It Start's With Me: Cultivating A Beloved Community Mindset to Transform Unjust Systems." Fifty-five years after his death, we still see the impacts of unjust systems every day at Crisis Assistance Ministry.  Read more in this weekend's blog (link in bio)

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Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed on Monday, January 16 in observance of  Martin Luther King Day. The office will be closed to all customers, volunteers, staff, and donors. Typical hours resume on Tuesday, January 17, 2023.

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Families in Charlotte, and across the country, are struggling to make ends meet. Inflation has outpaced wage growth. People are working harder than ever but still falling behind on rent and utilities. People need more money. But could we use policy to get more money into the hands of those who need it the most? This week's blog takes a look at the potential for Guaranteed Basic Income here in the Queen City. (Link in bio)
📷 courtesy of @stocktondemo

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Just one more day before we're back to "normal." So, @CrisisAssistMin is closed January 2, 2023,  and will return to typical business hours tomorrow, January 3.
(Financial assistance 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Free Store by appointment 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Donation drop off 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

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Wishing you hope, warmth, & light in the new year and beyond.
(P.S. @crisisassistmin will be closed tomorrow, January 2, and reopen with typical hours on Tuesday, January 3, 2023.)

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"Everybody wants to have that light shine."
Nikki shares what the holidays mean to her family as we reach the end of the year.  Looking back, she's grateful for the help of the community to get her through a financial crisis and back on her feet moving toward economic mobility.
Thousands more families will seek that same kind of help -- to stay safely housed, to keep utilities flowing, to provide clothing and household goods, and to rebuild financial stability -- in 2023.
Visit our quick links to learn more and to make a tax-deductible year-end gift to help more of our neighbors in the coming year.
Oh, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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Crisis Assistance Ministry wishes the hope, warmth, and light of home to all those who celebrate Kwanzaa this week.

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