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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Crisis Assistance Ministry

Charlotte, NC

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Poverty Simulation

February 16, 2023

Put Yourself in Someone Else’s Shoes

With two kids to care for, aged 7 and 9, there is a zero percent chance my family can pay these bills on time. Should I fall behind on rent payments and risk eviction? Should I ignore the electric bill and risk the power being cut off? How will I be able to afford groceries for the coming week? All of these questions spiraled through my mind as I came to a harrowing conclusion: my family and I could likely end up homeless very soon.
Suddenly, I heard a whistle blow, and a hush fell over the room.  It was over.

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: Civic Engagement, Community, Federal Poverty Line, Missouri Action Network, Noah Howell, Poverty Simulation, Poverty Simulations, Preserve Dignity

October 3, 2022

This Experience Will Make You Rethink Poverty

Participation in a poverty simulation: fast moving, immersive, stressful, real. Everything that can go wrong WILL go wrong. But you will be left thinking.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Agency News Tagged With: #PreserveDignity, #PreventHomelessness, Civic Engagement, Economic Mobility, Financial Assistance, Poverty Simulation

Image of stethoscope on neutral background

October 11, 2021

Poverty Awareness Helps Medical Providers See Beyond the Examining Room

This year, over 200 Atrium Health staff and medical students have participated in virtual poverty awareness experiences with Crisis Assistance Ministry. The sessions are part of an ongoing partnership between Atrium and Crisis Assistance Ministry that aims to sensitize healthcare providers to the challenges their patients may face outside the walls of the examining room.

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: Advocacy, Atrium Health, Heather Tarantino, Poverty Awareness, Poverty Simulation

February 10, 2020

Poverty Simulation Prepares Nursing Students for Community Practice

For aspiring nurses, an understanding of what life is like for people in underserved communities is a critical part of their education. At UNC Charlotte, students have a chance to experience what their patients may face on a day-to-day basis through Crisis Assistance Ministry’s Poverty Simulation.

Filed Under: Advocacy, Agency News Tagged With: Civic Education, Education, Jamie Brandon, Jennifer Madden, Missouri Community Action Network, Nursing, Poverty, Poverty Simulation, UNC Charlotte

October 15, 2019

Interfaith Poverty Simulation Spurs Action in Matthews-Mint Hill

In the fall of 2016, with political acrimony and discord rocking the nation, retired pastor Reverend Richard Little looked around the congregation at Morning Star Lutheran Church and thought to himself, “If we can’t get together in the church to talk about our differences, where can we do that?”

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: interfaith, Jonesville AME Zion Church, Morning Star Lutheran Church, Poverty, Poverty Simulation

April 29, 2019

Transforming a Skeptic

I’m skeptical when I hear people talk about life-altering, perspective-shifting experiences. So, when I came home to tell my roommate that I had just experienced one of the most powerful and transformative two hours of my life, I recognized the incredulous face looking back at me.

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: Civic Education, Missouri Community Action Network, Poverty, Poverty Simulation, Providence Presbyterian Church

February 4, 2019

Brendan Coffey Lends Expertise to Change Management Initiatives

Brendan Coffey is passionate about his community and about the practice of change management. An Enterprise Change Manager with Avid Xchange here in Charlotte, he first got to know Crisis Assistance Ministry as part of an assignment for his MBA program at Queens University of Charlotte.

Filed Under: Volunteer Stories Tagged With: Avid Xchange, Poverty Simulation, Queens University, Volunteer

October 26, 2017

Poverty Simulation Provides Unique Insights

It was a powerful afternoon as Duke Energy’s company-wide HR team participated in three simultaneous Poverty Simulations designed to give participants a small taste of life on the bottom rung of the economic ladder.

Filed Under: Advocacy Tagged With: Advocacy, Corporate, Poverty Simulation

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Crisis Assistance Ministry

Preventing homelessness.
Preserving dignity.
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Contact Us

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

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Recent Photos

crisisassistmin

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We had an unusual 🐿️ visitor this morning. While we DO specialize in stabilizing families through emergency basic needs and financial empowerment, our services are designed for neighbors of the human variety! 🤣 
Fortunately, our little squirrel buddy has been successfully relocated to the outdoors where they can continue to take care of their family too 😁 🎉

crisisassistmin

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Pulitzer Prize-winning author Matthew 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. Tickets are free, but required. Seating is Limited. <Link in Bio>

crisisassistmin

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We aren't throwing a big party, but we ARE asking friends and neighbors to make a direct contribution to help stabilize families facing a financial crisis. Your help with this Non-Event will make more stories like this one possible. Join us with a gift to help neighbors avoid eviction and loss of utilities and to empower more people with the tools to rebuild financial stability for themselves. Don't Save a Date . . . Save A Future.

crisisassistmin

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We love sharing our mission with corporate #volunteers like this team from @humana today. Thanks to their help, families will find essentials like clothing, shoes, school supplies, and household goods—free of charge— in our store while they continue to build financial stability. #thankful

crisisassistmin

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Instead of planning a fancy gala, we're inviting you to skip the party (and all those costs) and instead make a direct contribution to stabilize families experiencing financial crisis right here in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
It's our NonEvent 2023, and 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.
SAVE A FUTURE: https://crisisassistance.org/mobility

crisisassistmin

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What a wonderful day to welcome #volunteers from @DukeEnergy during their Summer of Service. Nearly 100 Duke employees spent part of their day helping with everything from painting barrels to inspecting donations and stocking the store. A GREAT way to spend a Friday here in the Queen City!

crisisassistmin

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This might look like a #Barbie appreciation post, but actually it is a shout out to Team @duke_energy and the 100+ folks who spent their day as #volunteers here today!

crisisassistmin

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Starting the day with a wonderful snack ministry from @elevationchurch for day 6 of #loveweek2023! Thank you for making sure families seeking help today have a little nourishment along the way.

crisisassistmin

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Today's LOVE WEEK 2023 #volunteers from @elevationchurch created no-sew blankets for families who shop here free of charge, staffed the checkout counters in the store, and prepared newly arrived clothing from corporate donors for future shoppers. With help like this, more than 80 people per day find essentials to help stabilize their families when they visit our Free Store. #thankful #loveweek2023

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