Mission & Vision
The mission of Crisis Assistance Ministry is to provide assistance and advocacy for people in financial crisis, helping them move toward self-sufficiency.
Our vision is to inspire our community to justice and generosity as we provide help, hope, and understanding to people struggling with limited financial resources.
Our Programs
Basic Needs
Mecklenburg County families receive help with life’s basic needs: emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing, household goods, and appliances.
Economic Mobility
The Economic Mobility Program helps families move towards financial security and introduces pathways to economic opportunity. Enrolled families are given the opportunity to work one-on-one with a caseworker for an hour per week for up to 90 days.
Civic Engagement
In a vibrant city like Charlotte, it’s easy to overlook the fact that many are suffering amid affluence. Our Civic Engagement Program increases awareness of the complex issues facing more than 100,000 neighbors in Mecklenburg County living in poverty.
By the Numbers
Children Benefiting from Our Services
Children under 18 made up 42% of those benefiting from Crisis Assistance Ministry services.
Stacey’s Journey of Strength
You can usually find Stacey in the warehouse working with volunteers to keep the Free Store stocked for families who shop free of charge each day. But what is her personal connection to our mission? What keeps her motivated as a part of the Crisis Assistance Ministry team?
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How You Can Make a Difference This Giving Tuesday
At Crisis Assistance Ministry, we embrace this day with open arms and invite you to join us as we celebrate 10 years of #GivingTuesdayCLT, a local, community-wide celebration led by Share Charlotte that involves hundreds of local nonprofits and thousands of caring Charlotte-Mecklenburg residents like you.
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Thanksgiving and the Spirit of Community
Beyond the sumptuous feasts and festive parades, Thanksgiving embodies the power of community and the spirit of giving. Here at Crisis Assistance Ministry, we see that power every day as you reach into our lobby and offer help, hope, and understanding to neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet.
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Stocking the Social Justice Library: Five New Books We’re Adding to Our Shelves
Our recent visit from Matthew Desmond, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and Princeton University sociologist, inspired us to investigate other perspectives on economic equity and social justice issues. His remarks, focused on his latest book, Poverty, by America., motivated us to dig deeper into how we might encourage our community to begin unraveling the complex threads that keep so many of the people served at Crisis Assistance Ministry from achieving financial security and prosperity. Here are five social justice books on our holiday wish list this year.
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One Easy Thing You Can Do To Help Families In Need This Holiday Season
It’s hard enough to make ends meet at any time of the year. But during the holiday season? Not only is it harder, but it’s also disheartening.
When you have mouths to feed, bills to pay, and little ones to clothe and keep warm, trying to manage it all during the busiest time of year seems impossible.
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Can We Really Abolish Poverty?
For Pulitzer Prize-winning author and sociologist Matthew Desmond, the answer is YES!
During his recent visit to Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Desmond brought both data and passion to the discussion of why America is one of the richest nations on earth, yet has “more poverty than any other advanced democracy.”
Steve’s Coats for Kids Keeps Neighbors Warm
It’s October and some mornings bus stop temperatures have already been in the 40s. For many parents, that means discovering that last year’s coat no longer fits their 2nd grader. You can join neighbors from across the region who will help kids stay warm through Steve’s Coats for Kids.
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Will Medicaid Expansion Help Mecklenburg?
This long-awaited move by North Carolina will provide welcome relief to many low-wage earners who often are not offered health insurance through their employers. Considering the struggles of working families here in Mecklenburg County, there are certainly thousands who will benefit from Medicaid expansion in our own community. Based on evidence from other states, it’s likely all of us will reap the benefits of improved community health, lower eviction rates, and a stronger safety net for our neighbors.
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Hear Pulitzer Prize-winning Matthew Desmond
We are proud to partner with Davidson College to co-host Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew Desmond on their campus. Desmond’s thought-provoking message will help us understand the systemic issues contributing to poverty and inspire us to be part of the solution here in our own community.
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Here’s What You Make Possible
It’s not too late to make stories like the one Carol shares here possible. You won’t need to attend a big gala, hire a babysitter, or order an Uber. Instead, make a direct contribution to help stabilize nearby families facing a financial crisis.
Your gift will help hardworking neighbors escape the threat of eviction or loss of utilities while empowering families with the resources to stabilize their families . . . and their future.
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Duke Energy Brings Summer of Service Here
On an extremely hot day in August, nearly 100 Duke Energy employees swarmed Crisis Assistance Ministry with energy, enthusiasm, and genuine concern for their neighbors. Led by Harry Sideris, executive vice president at Duke Energy, colleagues from their Customer Experience, Solutions & Services group inspected and prepared donated items, stocked the store with new and gently used clothing and household goods, and spruced up donation barrels for use in the community.
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Summer Adventures Made Possible By You
Antonio and Angel were among 50+ local youngsters who headed off to traditional summer camp or college exploration camp this summer with the help of the community. Wayfinders, a local nonprofit organization, funds summer activities for these students and matches them with year-round mentors from fourth grade through high school graduation. On their journey, they carried an array of clothing, toiletries, blankets, and other essentials found during a special shopping day at Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Free Store.
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