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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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CMS

July 22, 2025

Confidence: Why School Uniforms Matter

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. […]

Filed Under: Advocacy, Agency News Tagged With: #PreserveDignity, 50, Back to School, CMS, Uniform

August 1, 2024

Bridging the Gap: Addressing Poverty’s Role in Shaping Education

Education and poverty are intertwined, much like the “chicken and egg” dilemma. Investigating how the quality and accessibility of education can either reinforce or break the ongoing cycles of poverty underscores the critical role that education plays in either trapping individuals in poverty or providing them with the tools to escape it. This perspective is crucial in understanding the real-world implications of these cycles and the potential power of education as a transformative force.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Agency News Tagged With: Aashir Sura, Bank of America, CMS, Education, Jayden Eda, Schools

July 16, 2024

How Can A School Uniform Improve Housing Stability?

Families across Charlotte are scrambling to prepare their children for school as summer winds down. Over 40 schools in Charlotte require uniforms, largely those with high concentrations of poverty, which leaves many families struggling to find and afford quality uniforms for their children. You can help by contributing new and gently used items right now.

Filed Under: Agency News Tagged With: 50, Children, Clothing, CMS, Community, Education, school uniforms, Teens

June 16, 2021

CMS Shows It Cares

Nearly 800 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (CMS) leaders recently participated in a week of service, named CMS Cares, giving back to the community while also learning more about the agencies and organizations that serve their students and families daily.

Filed Under: Volunteer Stories Tagged With: CMS, Free Store, Volunteers

March 17, 2021

New Partner Agency Shopping Connects Community with Essentials

An innovative new Partner Agency Shopping Service invites representatives of local nonprofits to shop by appointment on behalf of the individuals and families they serve. Available items include clothing, shoes, coats, school uniforms, kitchenware, dishes, and linens. So far, 50,000+ items have been provided to partner organizations.

Filed Under: Agency News, Customer Stories Tagged With: Care Ring, Charlotte Bilingual Preschool, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, CMS, Electrolux, Free Store, Nurse Family Partnerships, Partner Agency, Partner Agency Shopping Service, Partners, Supportive Housing Communities

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Recent Posts

  • Group of people standing and talking in the Crisis Assistance Ministry lobby during the 2025 alumni eventCrisis Assistance Ministry Welcomes New Board Members 
  • A Tale of Two Customers 
  • The Cycle of Poverty, Eviction, and Mental Illness
  • New Report Reveals Deepening Pressure on Charlotte Mecklenburg Families 
  • The Benefits Cliff: When Progress Costs Too Much

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

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  • (704) 371-3001
  • 500-A Spratt St.
    Charlotte, NC 28206
  • Tax ID:
    EIN 56-1416719
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crisisassistmin

Open post by crisisassistmin with ID 18440646022139634
Help us welcome our newest Board members: Sherry Ferguson, Jay Herring, and Allison Hoffman. 💛

Our Board is a volunteer group of community leaders guiding housing stability and financial assistance work across Charlotte‑Mecklenburg. They bring expertise from finance, healthcare, housing, law, and grassroots organizing, all grounded in a shared commitment to neighbors in financial crisis.

New Board member Allison Hoffman put it this way:

“It is such an honor to join the amazing board at Crisis Assistance Ministry. I'm looking forward to learning more about the important work they are doing in our community, and raising awareness about the financial hardships our neighbors are facing.”

We are grateful for Sherry, Jay, and Allison’s time, talents, and heart for this mission.

crisisassistmin

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Spring cleaning meets summer sun. 🌼☀️ This week’s most needed items on our Amazon Wishlist are Fabuloso and sunscreen, helping neighbors keep their homes fresh and their families protected as warmer days approach.

Scan the QR code in the graphic or use the link in our bio to shop our wishlist and have essentials sent directly to Crisis Assistance Ministry. Every item you give makes a real difference for a local family. 💛

crisisassistmin

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Change happens when we show up and speak out.

Earlier this week, Carol Hardison @carolinthehouse stood before @cltgov  City Council to support “The People’s Budget” – a vision for a city budget that centers care, dignity, and justice for all of Charlotte, not just a few.

Every day, we see neighbors pushed to the brink by rising housing costs, low wages, and impossible choices. In the last fiscal year, 52,625 evictions were filed in Mecklenburg County.

Carol uses her voice publicly and consistently so those realities are not ignored, calling for investments in housing stability and the services families rely on. Leadership means being willing to be seen, to listen, and to speak up for those who are too often left out of the conversation. We are grateful to have a leader who does exactly that for our entire community. 💛

crisisassistmin

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According to a national study, renters who believe they’re likely to be evicted in the next two months have more than double the odds of experiencing depression and anxiety compared with renters who feel secure in their housing.

Even the threat of losing a home can keep families up at night. This Mental Health Awareness Month and Affordable Housing Month, we’re working so that more Mecklenburg County neighbors can worry less about eviction and focus more on healing.

crisisassistmin

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This could have been a novel full of obstacles, but it’s a real story of hope, resilience, and strength.

In “A Tale of Two Customers,” Mandy and Shawn walk through the same lobby at Crisis Assistance Ministry carrying very different burdens and find the same open door to help and a way forward. Their journeys reflect what so many of our neighbors face when life unravels: past‑due notices, hard choices, and the fear of losing home and stability.

But there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

During our Challenge Match, every dollar you give is matched dollar for dollar, so your generosity goes twice as far—twice the help, twice the impact, twice the hope—for families like Mandy’s and Shawn’s. Tap the link in our bio to read “A Tale of Two Customers” and make your matched gift today.

crisisassistmin

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This group surprised us in the best way 💛

The Child First team from Children’s Home Society of North Carolina showed up with a gentle approach and fierce tenacity, carefully inspecting donations that will soon support local families — and somehow made it all look fun and effortless at the same time. We’re so grateful for partners whose mission to strengthen children and families aligns so closely with ours, and we can’t wait to welcome them back again soon.

crisisassistmin

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We’ve been looking for you everywhere — our favorite financial supporter! We checked X, we peeked at Bluesky, and look at that … we finally found you here on Instagram. 

Every dollar you give to our Challenge Match is matched dollar for dollar (up to $1 million!) turning one act of generosity into two. Your gift goes twice as far: twice the help, twice the impact, twice the hope for neighbors who are doing everything they can to keep the lights on and a safe place to call home.

Ready to make your generosity do double duty?

🔁 Your donation is matched 1:1
❤️ Twice the impact for families in crisis
📲 Give today and help keep the lights on, the rent paid, and hope alive

Tap the link in our bio to donate now and watch your gift be doubled for our community.

crisisassistmin

Open post by crisisassistmin with ID 18089886851462106
Then: median rent around $145.
Now: about $1,600.

Wages didn’t keep up. Housing costs did.
Neighbors we serve today earn about $25,000 a year and spend most of it just to stay housed.

Since 1975, 2.5 million people have found help here when the math just didn’t work anymore.

The year changed. The zip codes changed.
The need for a safety net in Charlotte didn’t.

crisisassistmin

Open post by crisisassistmin with ID 17919929730353761
Children’s mental health isn’t always shaped by school, friends, and family—sometimes it starts with a notice on the door, a packed suitcase, and another bedroom they’ll only sleep in for a few months.

Help keep children safely housed by supporting Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Challenge Match. Your gift will be matched dollar for dollar (up to $1M) and will support a neighbor who’s choosing between essentials and rent. Link in Bio

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