Emergency support from Crisis Assistance Ministry.
There are instances in which Mecklenburg County families face an unavoidable financial hardship. During these periods, the programs administered by Crisis Assistance Ministry may be able to assist. The organization and its team of volunteers work with clients to address the short term crisis, or redirect them to who can help.
Depending on donation levels and the allotment of federal government grants, some examples of services include employment case management, money for paying heating bills or rent, hunger prevention, and care for senior citizens. After all, a major focus of Crisis Assistance Ministry is on helping the least fortunate in the county.
Emergency financial help from Crisis Assistance Ministry
Heating bill assistance is available during the winter months or funds are offered for summer air conditioning bills. The main resource is federal government funded, and is known as the Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP. Staff from Crisis Assistance Ministry can refer residents to this.
If the applicant is found to be qualified, LIHEAP provides financial assistance or maybe a credit on a utility bill. The focus is on income eligible households, and the intent is to help the family pay any overdue energy costs. The amount of financial assistance will be determined by different factors, including federal government funding levels, the primary type of fuel used to heat the home, the number of people that live in the household, and also total household income.
Using donations of clothing or money raised from the community, then Crisis Assistance Ministry can provide other support too. The aid is for people that are faced with a crisis that they did not create. The support is part of the Housing and Financial Stability Program. Some of the assistance may include, but is not limited to, the following.
- Housing, ranging from shelter to placement into low income apartments.
- Crisis Assistance Ministry can direct clients to grants for everything from rent to water bills or security deposits.
- Vouchers for prescription medications.
- Employment needs, including clothing or maybe a ride to a job interview.
- Screening for state of North Carolina benefits, such as food stamps.
An appointment is needed with a Crisis Assistance Ministry, and the funds are very limited. When seeking grants from the non-profit, be prepared with picture ID, copy of a lease or utility bill, eviction notice, income, and more. The documentation required as part of the assessment process is extensive.
Crisis Assistance Ministry rental assistance program offers emergency financial assistance, and this is part of the stability service reference above. The aid is for tenants who are facing eviction and that have a pay or quit notice. The program provides small dollar payments to landlords to prevent homelessness. Funding for the Rental Assistance Program is provided from the federal government ESG solution, so it is limited.
When applying for this, eligibility requirements are fully determined by a combination of Crisis Assistance Ministry guidelines as well as government regulations. The money is not guaranteed, and any funds available are distributed monthly and are provided to eligible households on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eviction and foreclosure prevention can be arranged by Crisis Assistance Ministry. As there are many other hardship grants, government resources, and even legal aid (such as mediation) that work together to keep people in their homes. Or find a new home or apartment to live. More on Mecklenburg County homeless prevention and rehousing.
Get free food, furniture, appliances and more in Mecklenburg County
The Crisis Assistance Ministry Food Pantry is available as a free service. The center was established in an effort to help either entire families or just individuals that are struggling to put groceries on the table each and every day. It provides applicants an assortment of fresh or canned goods. There may be meats, cereal, vegetables, free baby formula, and fruits. Residency, income, and other criteria needs to be met. Each household is eligible a limited number of uses of the pantry each month.
There are also Furniture and Appliance programs in Mecklenburg County from the Free Store. Some generous people in the area, or even local businesses, will donate items to thrift stores and charities. Then this program will help low-income households by giving them any items they need. It can be used to solve major furniture needs, including for the formerly homeless. The Free, or Thrift Store, is at 500A Spratt Street and can be reached at 704-371-3001.
Crisis Ministry programs for seniors and retirees
Programs are available for senior citizens as well. Crisis Assistance Ministry arranges this in partnership with Agency on Aging Centers and senior centers. There are locations in the community which offer a perfect location for the elderly to spend time doing a multitude of activities. In some cases, transportation is arranged as well. Some of the specific resources include:
- Information on senior housing for residents age 55 or older.
- Applications to Medicare or prescription part D.
- Meals on Wheels services in the local Charlotte region.
Senior citizens as well as the elderly (or even older retired residents) often have questions on accessing Health Care and paying for it. As there are multiple Medicare programs and services out there, all with different costs, co-pays, donut holes for medications and more. CAM can refer clients to Extra Help Medicare program which offers both financial aid as well as advice.
Financial literacy and employment services
Money Management is another self-sufficiency tool. This will offer both initial and on-going support to help people develop and maintain a personalized, balanced budget. Staff from non-profit credit counseling agencies in the area will review the clients spending habits and make recommendations to reduce expenses. They also provide guidance to achieve short and long range saving goals and other support.
Crisis Assistance Ministry staff believe, as do many others, that financial literacy is critical to long term financial stability as well as existing poverty. Kids should learn as well as adults. Whether investing, saving money, or living within means, it is a critical skill. Learn more about personal financial literacy programs.
Clients also get help in overcoming their challenges. Working with partners, such as DHS or one stop job centers, Crisis Assistance Ministry arranges one on one employment support. Classes held across Mecklenburg County include resume and cover letter writing. They can also get practice interview skills and the free use of computers for job search.
Apply for help from Crisis Assistance Ministry
Many other services are arranged too. The agency help people of all races, religions, ages, and circumstances, with information offered in Spanish as well. For referrals, or more details on services such as Housing and Financial Stability, the Crisis Assistance Ministry is located at 500A Spratt Street, Charlotte, NC 28206, call 704-371-3001.
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