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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Overcoming Challenges, Reclaiming Purpose

After watching dementia slowly take her mother, battling her own depression, and ultimately retiring due to health difficulties, things got hard for Deborah. Loss of income and grief overtook her, and before long she was, in her own words, “sitting alone in the dark, with no lights, no food, and too much pride to ask anyone for help.” That’s when the master’s prepared social worker found herself somewhere she never imagined: sitting across the desk from another social worker, seeking help to dig herself out. There, she remembers being met with kindness, concern, and hope.

March 31, 2023

“If you face a challenge, it’s ok. You can overcome that challenge and you can be better because of it.”

– Deborah

Those are the words of an inspiring neighbor named Deborah who we have come to know over the past few years.

Give Now & Double Your Impact

Here’s the story of how Deborah found help to overcome a daunting set of challenges and emerged with a renewed sense of purpose:

After watching dementia slowly take her mother, battling her own depression, and ultimately retiring due to health difficulties, things got hard for Deborah. Loss of income and grief overtook her, and before long she was, in her own words, “sitting alone in the dark, with no lights, no food, and too much pride to ask anyone for help.”

That’s when the master’s prepared social worker found herself somewhere she never imagined: sitting across the desk from another social worker, seeking help to dig herself out. There, she remembers being met with kindness, concern, and hope.

After resolving her crisis (with a little help from you), Deborah completed an 8-week course to become a Customer Advocate and began volunteering—sharing her time, expertise, and her own experiences. She is living into a renewed sense of purpose as an advocate for herself, her neighbors, and her community.
“Sharing is my way of giving back to the Charlotte community,” Deborah says, “and my way of allowing people who are generous enough to give to Crisis Assistance the opportunity to speak with one of the many people they have helped.”

In fact, Deborah is one of the newest members of Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Board of Directors. She provides an important point of view alongside other community leaders who ensure we fulfill our mission: to provide assistance and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency.

“The takeaway from my experiences would be to always remember that we need each other. Today you may be sitting on one side of the desk. Tomorrow you may be on the other side – everything is subject to change,” Deborah adds. “When you can help someone else, just don’t miss that opportunity.”

Can you help us help more neighbors like Deborah?

Right now, your gift can help more of our neighbors overcome the challenges facing them with the help of these Charlotte leaders:

  • Howard and Julie Levine-Howard R. Levine Foundation
  • Anna & Ed McMahan
  • Kasey & Stuart Proffitt

They will match every gift, dollar-for-dollar, between now and May 31, 2023 (up to $500,000). Thanks to their generosity, your contribution will have DOUBLE the impact — go further — do more — and help more hardworking families right here in our own community.

By answering their Challenge, you can help more neighbors like Deborah achieve housing stability and economic empowerment.

Give Now & Double Your Impact

Filed Under: Campaign, Customer Stories, Volunteer Stories Tagged With: #DoubleYourImpact, Board of Directors, Challenge2023, Customer Advocate, Deborah

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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

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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.

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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.

crisisassistmin

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Shout out to every neighbor who showed up and shared their time to help other neighbors get through a financial crisis and rebuild stability.
#volunteers #thankyou #DoGoodCLT #fightpoverty #NationalVolunteerWeek

crisisassistmin

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Crisis Assistance Ministry is excited to announce that local Charlotte leaders are coming together to help YOU double your impact this Spring.  Thanks to the generosity of Howard and Julie Levine - Howard R. Levine Foundation; Anna & Ed McMahan; and Kasey & Stuart Proffitt every contribution (up to $500K) will be matched now through May 31.
Will YOU rise to the challenge with a gift to help provide more individuals and families meet their basic needs, develop the tools to overcome financial adversity, and chart a path beyond the crisis toward financial security?

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