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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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In Tribute To a Life Well Lived

At Crisis Assistance Ministry, our hearts are heavy with the loss of another servant leader. Regina Smith, our coworker and friend, passed away unexpectedly on January 11, 2022. She may not have achieved worldwide fame or received the Nobel Peace Prize, but Regina dedicated her life to improving the lives of others, and she will be greatly missed.

January 18, 2022

BY BONNIE TIERNAN

This week, we observed the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. As we honor that great leader, we reflect on his immense contributions to social justice, and reaffirm our commitment to continuing his work. Racial and economic equity is the goal, and there is still much work to be done.

Here at Crisis Assistance Ministry, our hearts are heavy with the loss of another servant leader. Regina Smith, our coworker and friend, passed away unexpectedly on January 11, 2022. She may not have achieved worldwide fame or received the Nobel Peace Prize, but Regina dedicated her life to improving the lives of others, and she will be greatly missed.

Regina was one of Crisis Assistance Ministry’s first Black caseworkers, and she served the community here for twenty-two years. During that time, Regina inspired, assisted, and uplifted tens of thousands of Charlotteans.

Despite her small stature, Regina was a mighty force. Whip-smart, honest, funny, and loyal, she was a confidante and cheerleader for so many—including her colleagues, customers, friends, family, fellow church members, and especially the young people she mentored throughout her lifetime.

Regina was also a proud Johnson C. Smith University alumna (Go, Golden Bulls!) and basketball fanatic.

Her coworkers at Crisis Assistance Ministry lovingly referred to Regina as a fussy grandma, and she always got a laugh out of that. Despite her occasional good-natured grumbling, we all knew she loved us and would do anything in her power to support us, our families, and our customers.

Regina dedicated herself, heart and soul, to helping others through difficult times. But she also had a fun and sassy side. For her 50th birthday, Regina surprised everyone by taking her first trip to Las Vegas, where she had a great time.

Regina Smith, Crisis Assistance Ministry (and the entire Charlotte-Mecklenburg community) hit the jackpot when you made this agency your home. We love you and miss you, and we promise to honor your legacy by continuing the work you did so well.

In the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson, “It is not length of life, but depth of life.”

We lost you way too soon, dear friend. Rest well knowing your life was not only deep but also wide— touching and transforming everyone lucky enough to have known you.


Bonnie Tiernan has served in a variety of roles during her 17-year tenure at Crisis Assistance Ministry, many of which were alongside Regina on the casework team. She currently leads efforts to engage and empower the community to be advocates for people facing poverty as Civic Engagement Manager and Interim Marketing Director.

Filed Under: Agency News Tagged With: Regina Smith, Staff, Tribute

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  • 500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
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We are deeply grateful that so many in our community turn to Crisis Assistance Ministry during times of hardship. It’s a privilege to be a trusted helping hand, and we couldn’t do it without the incredible generosity of our donors who have stood with us for years. If you’re a new supporter, please start with any gift amount you feel comfortable with and watch your dollars go even farther! Today, every gift made will be matched dollar for dollar. That means your $10 donation becomes $20, doubling the impact for our neighbors in need. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure vital assistance reaches those who need it most. View story for direct link.

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Days like this highlight the vital role #volunteers play in Mecklenburg County. Shoutout to the team from Fifth Third Bank who absolutely ROCKED THE HOUSE at Crisis Assistance Ministry on Fifth Third Day! 🙌 They spent the day hanging clothing and inspecting donations, making a real difference for Charlotte-Mecklenburg neighbors.
For those who don't know, Fifth Third Day is all about giving back to the communities they serve, and this year, they aim to provide millions of meals and support across their footprint. Their volunteer efforts here are a powerful example of that commitment!

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What a happy accident. @kwballantyne and @Southpark both signed up to spend #RedDay here and didn’t even know it! They had such a great time serving the community listening to great music and banding together to get the Free Store in tip-top shape. 
Keller Williams was so enthusiastic about helping community members overcome long-term financial instability for their families, they stayed an extra hour before their lunch and had another crew from Southpark serve at 1pm! 👏🏽

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You know how it is – life gets busy, but when something good comes along, you pay attention. Well, guess what? Myers Park United Methodist Church just jumped into our Challenge! 🙌 Their support, along with Christ Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, and Myers Park Presbyterian Church is seriously boosting this thing we’re all making happen together.
 
Now, if you’ve been meaning to get involved but haven’t yet, or maybe you donated a while back? 🤔 Good news! This wave of generosity means your gifts will now be doubled through June 1st! Consider it a little nudge – a chance to double your dollars and make a real difference for folks right here in our community.

And hey, if you’re new to the party and looking for a way to actually see your money doing good? 🌱 This is it. Every donation until June 1st gets matched. Let’s not let this momentum fade – we hope to finish strong, like we always do. 💪 Head over to the usual place to make a direct donation.

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To the mothers who face the toughest battles and still rise to provide for their children: Your strength is our inspiration. ❤️ Meet Natasha, a mother of three who found support through Crisis Assistance Ministry and our Financial Empowerment program. Her journey of perseverance is a powerful reminder of a mother's unconditional love.

Happy Mother's Day to all the resilient mothers out there! Let's show them some love today. Double-tap if you agree! 👇

#HappyMothersDay #Resilience #MothersLove #FinancialEmpowerment #CrisisAssistanceMinistry #Inspiration #NeverGiveUp

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Just a little love going to Eastway Middle School! 🥰 Thanks to the community’s generous donations through our Partner Agency Shopping Service, we helped create 105 gift baskets for their amazing teachers’ appreciation event. Your donations provided the materials, directly showing the power of your giving in our community, especially for our educators.

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This is what it looks like when you leave it all on the field! 📢 What more can we say? @davidsonwildcat just showed what it means to play for something bigger than yourselves! They ran a full press on a month-long donation drive across their campus, and collected a truckload of items for neighbors who shop here, free of charge, for essentials. Shout-out to @c_kochera and the Davidson Student Athlete Advisory Committee. Let's take this energy and continue to champion our customers with the dignity they deserve! 💪 #CrisisAssisMin #DavidsonCollegeAthletics #GoCats #AthleticsDoneRight

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This week, we're showering our incredible educators with appreciation! 🎉 From classroom teachers to supportive parents, dedicated bus drivers, caring counselors, and everyone in between. Thank you for inspiring, guiding, and shaping the future. We "apple-solutely" value all you do! ❤️ #EducationAppreciation #ThankATeacher #TeacherAppreciationWeek

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