Engaging Community
In a vibrant city like Charlotte, it’s easy to overlook the fact that many are suffering amid affluence. Our community engagement efforts increase awareness of the complex issues facing low-wage earners in our communities. Our network of partner agencies extends our services into neighborhoods throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Even families whose income is twice the Federal Poverty Level struggle to afford safe housing, reliable transportation, child care, utilities, food, and other necessities. An unexpected event such as an illness or job loss can send an accomplished person into a downward financial spiral.
Empowering Advocates
The most powerful advocates are customers themselves. We provide training to individuals interested in sharing their story and effecting positive change for others living in poverty by:
- Increasing awareness of the complex issues that make it challenging for some neighbors to make ends meet
- Encouraging community dialogue and participation in removing barriers to financial security
- Changing attitudes and policies that create barriers to economic mobility
Following training, Customer Advocates participate in panel discussions, provide interviews to the media, and serve on local boards, including the Neighborhood Equity and Stabilization (Charlotte’s NEST) Commission.
Educating the Community
As an official licensee of the Community Action Poverty Simulation (CAPS) since 2008, Crisis Assistance Ministry provides a two-hour interactive, immersive experience designed to increase awareness and encourage dialogue on removing barriers to financial security. Additional opportunities include virtual and hybrid poverty awareness sessions for smaller audiences with lesser time availability.
More than 100,000 of our neighbors live in poverty.
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.
The Benefits Cliff: When Progress Costs Too Much
For most people, getting a raise at work is cause for celebration.
But for thousands of hardworking families, a raise can trigger something unexpected – and dangerous – called the benefits cliff.
VITA Free Tax Prep Meck
Free Tax Prep Meck is back. IRS-Certified tax preparation at no cost to qualifying individuals.
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What is H.R. 1 and Why Does It Matter to Crisis Assistance Ministry and You?
Officially named the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, H.R. 1 is indeed a big bill, at over 1,000 pages long. The bill combines permanent extensions of the 2017 tax cuts with steep spending reductions in key safety-net programs like Medicaid, SNAP (food stamps), LIHEAP (energy assistance), student aid, and the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). […]
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The Cycle of Poverty and Mental Illness
Defining the connection between poverty and mental illness is a chicken-and-egg scenario: does mental illness create an inability to overcome a state of poverty, or does poverty increase or perpetuate the occurrence of mental illness?
Celebrating Women’s History Month: Advancing Economic Justice
Image source: Women’s History Month.gov March is Women’s History Month—a time to celebrate the resilience, achievements, and ongoing fight for equality by women throughout history. This observance began in 1980 as a week-long celebration declared by President Jimmy Carter and was later expanded to a full month. Today, Women’s History Month serves as a reminder […]