More than two decades ago, then WSOC Meteorologist Steve Udelson saw a need and rallied the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community to solve it. That first year, viewers donated about 3,000 coats for people served by Crisis Assistance Ministry. By the time Steve retired, the annual collection was averaging more than 30,000 coats. All told, Steve’s Coats is […]
On the day her family sought help at Crisis Assistance Ministry, Jennifer had to use her gas card at the convenience store to get bread and peanut butter to feed her three young children. It was the only way. They were completely out of cash and she did not have anything else to help them […]
There’s something powerful about the first day of school: the anticipation, the nerves, the clean slate. But for too many students in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, that moment of possibility is clouded by something as simple as what they’re wearing. More than 40 public schools in the Charlotte area require uniforms: solid color polos, khakis, sweaters, socks. […]
For 50 years, this community has come together here to offer help, hope, and understanding to Mecklenburg County neighbors in need of housing stability. In honor of this milestone year, we are sharing 50 stories of Crisis Assistance Ministry throughout the year. Here’s a recap so far:
In 1975, local faith leaders came together to create a “one-stop shop” to meet the urgent need for housing stability they saw emerging in our community. From this grassroots movement, Crisis Assistance Ministry was born. Today, the mission of this independent nonprofit organization remains the same: “to provide assistance and advocacy for people in financial […]
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 […]
Countless groups and individuals took the opportunity to get involved as 2025 got rolling. Throughout the cold months, volunteers inspected, organized, and distributed new and gently used items, ensuring our neighbors faced both the winter chill and the warmer, almost spring-like days with dignity and support. Elliot Davis Elliot Davis came through with 32 volunteers […]
With Charlotte waking up to frost clinging to windshields, dew clinging to grass, and a hint of snow dusting the sidewalks for the first time in years, last week was a stark reminder that some of our neighbors struggle to stay warm. Thankfully, December brought hundreds of volunteers who shared their time with Crisis Assistance […]
