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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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A Phone Call Changed Her Life

Her reality changed in an instant when she got the call that she was furloughed. Betsy was at a loss for what to do next but she needed to be strong for her three children ages 10, 14, and 16, and her elderly mother.

March 30, 2022

Do you sit down with your kids and look through your bank statements every weekend? Betsy does!

It hasn’t always been that way for Betsy and her family. Betsy was a regional manager for a large phone company and had a stable life. She rarely had to worry about paying her bills or how she was going to put food on the table.

Her reality changed in an instant when she got the call that she was furloughed. When the shock of that wore off, she got a retail job to stay afloat. It was a bit like starting over, but she kept pushing through. Until another unexpected evening phone call laid her off from that job too.

Betsy was at a loss for what to do next, but she needed to be strong for her three children ages 10, 14, and 16, and her elderly mother. She applied for unemployment and began job hunting. Still, she fell further behind on her rent and utility bills.

Her leasing manager referred her to Crisis Assistance Ministry. Betsy was nervous when applying for assistance because it was unfamiliar and outside of her comfort zone to ask for help.

Donations from people like you allowed Betsy and her family to stay in their home with running water and power. That generosity was just the hope she needed to move out of her fear and build a new path to opportunity.

Give Now & Double Your Impact

Betsy found a new job before long. But she never wanted to be in that kind of crisis again. She enrolled in the Economic Mobility program and worked one-on-one with a specialist to plan for the future. Betsy knew that “If I didn’t learn how to make changes in my budgeting and finances, I would be in the same position again.”

She says the constant encouragement of her Economic Mobility Specialist Randee, coupled with the bracelet she received when she started the program, helped her stay focused on her goals.

Nowadays, Betsy tracks her spending in her planner with different colored pens to stay on track. And every week, she shares what she learned with her kids. They all have bank accounts and they fill out the ledgers and analyze their spending weekly together. As her daughter says, “The bank statement is a snitch.” They work together as a family to hold each other accountable and work toward their financial goals.

Your donation changed my life and my children’s lives.

Betsy
Give Now & Double Your Impact

Right now, you can team up with the Merancas Foundation to provide basic needs for those in crisis and empower them to achieve self-sufficiency by joining the Challenge.

All donations up to $500,000 will be matched by the Merancas Foundation to amplify your gifts.

Working together, your gift before April 30th will double your impact and help more families like Betsy’s overcome their financial crisis.

Filed Under: Agency News, Campaign, Customer Stories Tagged With: #challenge2022, #DoubleYourImpact, #MakeYourMatch, #PreserveDignity, #PreventHomelessness, Customer, Economic Mobility, Financial Assistance

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
Preserving dignity.
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Contact Us

  • (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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Recent Photos

crisisassistmin

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Summer Ahead! 😎 
As schools wrap up for the summer, Charlotte families look ahead to how they will keep their children occupied and cared for all summer long.
What are some of your "close to home" plans for the summer?
🏊‍♀️ ☀️ ⛲

crisisassistmin

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It's Intern Season!
Last week, our civic engagement team met with @CovenantPresbyCLT interns kicking off their summer of service. These young adults took part in a poverty simulation activity and talked about real life issues facing the families served at Crisis Assistance Ministry.

crisisassistmin

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As we take time out this Memorial Day weekend to remember those who sacrificed on our behalf, Crisis Assistance Ministry will be closed to all customers, staff, donors, and volunteers on Monday, May 29, 2023. Typical business hours will resume on Tuesday, May 30.

crisisassistmin

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This family of five signed up to provide snacks for families who seek assistance here because "everyone could contribute." 17 year old Lydia wrote messages, 13 year old Spencer washed apples, Mom packed crackers, Dad packed cookies, and 6-month-old Isaiah cheered everyone on.
With summer ahead, there will be even more need for snack packs to share with the families served here. You can find this and other volunteer opportunities on our website.

#volunteers

crisisassistmin

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Should North Carolina Implement Child Tax Credits?
Expanded federal child tax credits were a lifeline for many families during the pandemic. But those expansions have expired and aren't likely to be renewed at the federal level. North Carolina could implement its own credit to help families struggling to make ends meet. 
You can learn more about the benefits and decide what you think at the link in bio. #NCChildTaxCredit #FightPoverty #PreserveDignity

crisisassistmin

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Thank you for a fabulous National Volunteer Week! You inspire us every day with your commitment to help all of our neighbors achieve financial stability.

crisisassistmin

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As expanded Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program benefits end, hunger-fighting groups expect a surge in demand at food banks and warn that SNAP recipients may fall back into poverty. Some studies estimated that the Emergency Allotments during the pandemic reduced child poverty by 14% in 2021. This week we ask who will suffer now that these benefits have expired in North Carolina and all remaining states? (Read more through link in bio)

crisisassistmin

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Meet Ed Holland, a grandfather who gives back consistently and finds hope in helping others who are experiencing a financial crisis. In less than two minutes, hear his hopeful outlook, what fuels his community involvement, and his invitation to join the Challenge going on right now to help more families who visit Crisis Assistance Ministry for help. #DoGoodCLT #DoubleYourImpact

crisisassistmin

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Yesterday was a great day to celebrate #volunteers with so many great groups "in the house!" First up:  two sets of high schoolers from opposite sides of the Atlantic. 
📷 1 & 2:  Teens from West Charlotte HS who serve consistently, always getting stuff done in our warehouse.
📷 3:  High school students from all the way in France via Charlotte Latin School who also spent time preparing donated goods for Free Store shoppers.
We ♥️ our teen volunteers who bring so much energy to their visits here.

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