At Crisis Assistance Ministry, hope takes many forms. It’s the warm smile of a volunteer, the guidance through a complex application process, and the support that helps families in Mecklenburg County, NC, weather financial storms. Recently, we sat down with Conor, a Benefits Access Volunteer at Crisis Assistance Ministry, to learn more about what motivates him and the impact he has on our community. His words, “When someone leaves with a smile on their face, it makes the job that much more rewarding,” perfectly capture the heart of his work.
“What motivates me to give my time to the organization,” Conor shared, “is just in general wanting to give back to the community. Every time I come in here, I want to try and help someone with something, even if it’s in the smallest possible way.”
Conor, originally from Chicago, is one of a handful of volunteers filling this a vital role in connecting customers with the resources they need. “My role at Crisis Assistance Ministry is as a Benefits Access Volunteer,” he explained. He also shared a fun fact about his name: “My name only being spelled with one ‘N’ gets spelled wrong a lot, but that is because it is the Irish spelling of the name, and that spelling is not very common. My mom loves her Irish heritage, and she ended up wanting to spell my name after a character in the Book of Trinity named Conor.”
So, what does a typical day look like for a Benefits Access Volunteer? Conor described his process: “I come in and I set up during the period where people are coming in, I pull customers outside from the lobby, take them back, and I talk with them, get an idea of what they need, what they don’t need, and I see if I can give them advice or put them in the right direction of getting benefits.” His work ranges from helping customers fill out applications for food stamps and medical assistance to providing referrals to the food pantry and other vital resources. He helps navigate the often-confusing world of assistance programs.
Crisis Assistance Ministry’s mission resonated deeply with Conor. “What initially attracted me to Crisis Assistance Ministry as an organization was their mission,” he said. “I really appreciated it, and coming just out of college, I wanted to do something more and give back to my community.”
Conor’s commitment has led to some truly powerful moments. “When it comes to people I’ve helped in the past, one person that really sticks out to me is someone who came in, and they were just looking to get back home to their hometown. Through the resources we had available to us, I was able to seek out different organizations that would be willing to help cover a Greyhound ticket to get him back there, and that was something that was really eye-opening to me.” This story highlights the simple yet profound difference a helping hand can make. “There’s a lot of things that people just need help with – just one step in the right direction – and they just don’t have access to those.”
For Conor, the most rewarding aspect of his work is the ability to bring a little light to someone’s darkest day. “People are coming into [Crisis Assistance Ministry] on their worst day. When someone leaves with a smile on their face, it makes the job that much more rewarding. When we get to show a customer that they didn’t get up in the morning to take a bus down here, drive down here, and they weren’t turned away – they were actually able to get something – that does something for me.”
Conor’s story is evidence of the importance of organizations like Crisis Assistance Ministry. Crisis Assistance Ministry doesn’t just provide financial assistance, but also hope, guidance, and dignity for those facing hardship.
Inspired by Conor’s story? Crisis Assistance Ministry is always looking for compassionate individuals to join our team of Benefits Access Volunteers. This rewarding role offers the opportunity to directly assist those facing financial hardship, providing guidance and support as they navigate complex benefits systems. If this sounds like you, reach out to our volunteer team or share this opportunity with friends, family, and colleagues who may be a good fit. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities at Crisis Assistance Ministry by visiting our volunteer portal.
About Crisis Assistance Ministry
Crisis Assistance Ministry is an independent, nonprofit agency dedicated to stabilizing housing for low-income families in Mecklenburg County. Specifically, Crisis Assistance Ministry helps families facing financial crisis by providing emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing, household essentials, and appliances, and household goods; fostering economic mobility through financial empowerment; and inspiring the community to advocate for people facing poverty.