PUMC has renewed its financial partnership with Crisis Assistance Ministry (CAM) to provide direct aid to persons experiencing a financial crisis with utilities or rent. The pastoral staff has experienced a sharp increase in requests for assistance and is having to turn some away. By financially partnering with CAM, we can better help those in our community in need. CAM is designed, equipped, and staffed to work with people in their financial crises and guide them toward financial self-sufficiency.
Our partnership plan is to give CAM $1000 each month to directly aid people in crisis. In addition, we plan to share impact stories of how these gifts are making a real difference in the lives of our neighbors. If you would like to add your support to this vital ministry, simply designate your donation to PUMC (by check or online) the fund “Crisis Assistance Ministry.” To give online, click HERE.
Crisis Assistance Ministry Stats
Families receiving financial assistance earned an average gross monthly income of $1,790 compared to $4,850, the average for Mecklenburg County.
On average, customers seeking assistance had 67% of their income obligated to pay rent and utilities.
Last year, more than 40,000 individuals were served
Children under 18 made up 42% of those benefiting from Crisis Assistance Ministry services.
Stories Provided by Crisis Assistance Ministry
March 2023
One of the hundreds of people seeking help at Crisis Assistance Ministry last week was a young mother at risk of homelessness. While her monthly rent was a very reasonable $825, she had struggled to keep up with it and all the other expenses for herself and her one-year-old son. Paychecks from her minimum-wage job just didn’t stretch far enough, so it was a blessing in disguise when she was let go due to missing time when her baby got sick. She quickly found another job paying twice as much, but there was a two-week gap before her first check, and her landlord had already filed for eviction. Knowing it was critically important to keep her affordable housing (especially in Charlotte, where the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment tops $1,400), she turned to Crisis Assistance Ministry. Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of Providence UMC, funds were available to bridge the gap for this hardworking young woman, allowing her to continue on her path toward stability and success.
April 2023
It was technically the first day of spring, but it still felt like winter as one woman waited for the bus early on the morning of March 20. She was headed to Crisis Assistance Ministry, hoping to get help with her water bill, which was past due and subject to disconnection at any time. The temperature was below freezing and she regretted her decision to leave home without gloves and a hat. But she needed to submit her application for assistance and then get across town to work, so going back for warmer clothing was not an option.
Fortunately, the bus was on time and she was soon inside the warm lobby of Crisis Assistance Ministry, where a member of the customer service team reviewed her application to ensure it was complete, then told her to expect a phone call from a caseworker soon. As she turned to leave, something made the woman mention how cold her hands had been while waiting for the bus. With a smile, the staff member said, “Wait right there,” and then disappeared into the agency’s Free Store. Within a few minutes, he was back with a brand new pair of knit gloves, a hat, and even a scarf.
The woman wiped away tears of gratitude on her bus ride to work. And later, when she got a phone call from a caseworker who told her the agency would pay her past-due bill so there was no longer any danger of being without water, the woman realized that the warmer days of Spring were just ahead.
May 2023
Among the hundreds of families served at Crisis Assistance Ministry last week were a young mother and her two-year-old son at risk of losing their home. Having moved to Charlotte from several states away, she and her toddler are alone in the city without the support of family or friends. This mom had lost her job due to one too many days of calling off work as a result of last-minute cancelations by an unreliable childcare provider. After nearly two weeks of searching, she landed a new job and a better daycare center. But her first paycheck would come several days after her eviction court date.
Fortunately, after discussing her situation with a trained caseworker, this hardworking mother received the good news that funds were available to bring her rent current. With the specter of homelessness no longer looming, she can focus once again on building a stable life for herself and her son in their newly-adopted hometown.
June 2023
It was the final week of the school year and, for Michelle, this was an especially important milestone. The oldest of her three daughters was graduating from high school at the top of her class. But, mixed in with the joy and pride was a growing sense of panic.
In the flurry of activity leading up to graduation, Michelle had simply overlooked paying the gas bill and now the company was saying that if she didn’t pay the past-due balance within two days, her service would be disconnected. The thought of her family preparing for the graduation ceremony and celebrations afterward without hot water for bathing or a stove to cook on gnawed at her constantly.
Michelle’s salary from her financial services job had always kept the family comfortable but the extra expenses for her daughter’s graduation invitations, cap and gown, and portraits, had stretched the budget beyond its reach, and payday was ten days away.
Fortunately, thanks to the generous donors at Providence UMC, Crisis Assistance Ministry was able to make a payment to the gas company and keep the service flowing for Michelle and her family. This hardworking mom is grateful that she can watch her daughter cross the stage without worry.
July 2023
At 54 years of age, William is beginning to feel the effects of decades of physical labor. When he pulled a muscle in his back at work for a cleaning company last month, he didn’t think too much about it until a couple of days later when he couldn’t even stand up. That led to several unpaid days lying in bed, alternating ice and heat packs, only to learn that his employer had permanently reduced his hours to part time.Meanwhile, the bills kept coming. William prioritized his rent and car payment, knowing that a roof over his head and reliable transportation to work were key to maintaining stability. But he soon found himself looking at a disconnection notice for his electricity and no money to pay the bill.
Fortunately, funds were available through PUMC’s donations to Crisis Assistance Ministry, and William’s past-due balance was paid directly to the utility company.
With the crisis averted just as summer temperatures began to soar, William could breathe a little easier. Now, he has turned his attention to finding a full-time work-from-home job that will ease the physical pressure on his body, increase his income, and allow him to reduce transportation expenses. William figures it’s a smart way to transition into the second half of his life with security and dignity.
August 2023
It’s not easy raising twins, even under the best of circumstances. Add in a failed marriage and a cancer diagnosis, and life can become overwhelmingly difficult. That’s what happened to Cherie (not her real name), who found herself struggling to care for her two-year-old daughters while missing time from work to undergo medical treatments. When her paid time off ran out, Cherie’s paychecks got smaller and smaller until there simply wasn’t enough money in the bank to pay this month’s rent.
Fortunately, Providence UMC supports Crisis Assistance Ministry, a place where families can receive support in their moment of greatest need. When Cherie reached out, she was met with kindness and help. After learning that the agency would pay the balance of her past due rent, Cherie felt the tension in her neck and shoulders ease. There are still plenty of challenges ahead for her young family, but, thankfully, losing their home is not one of them.
September 2023
At the height of last week’s heat wave, 55-year-old Louis came home from a doctor’s appointment to find his home without electricity. Thinking there must be a power outage, he called Duke Energy and was informed that his service had been disconnected for nonpayment. That isn’t possible, he told the customer service representative, because his mother had been paying his bill every month since he got sick and lost his job four months ago. Unfortunately, he was told no payments had been made in the past three months. After a phone call to his mother, he realized there had been a misunderstanding. While he thought she had offered to pay the bill until he was well enough to find another job, she had actually agreed to help with just one month. With both mother and son on fixed incomes – Social Security for her and disability for him – there was no money on hand to pay the past due bill and reconnection fee. Louis left his sweltering apartment and made his way to Crisis Assistance Ministry. He filled out an application and provided the requested information. Soon, he received news that funds were available to restore his electricity, which brought relief like a breath of fresh air.
October 2023
Earlier this month, a hardworking single mom came to Crisis Assistance Ministry on the brink of having her electricity disconnected. With a stable job at one of the area’s financial institutions, Denise had always been able to keep herself and her 7-year-old son comfortable, but increasing costs, especially for food and childcare, had squeezed her budget too far and there was no money left to pay the electric bill.
Denise’s income is too high to receive any government support for food or daycare, and, unfortunately, also too high to qualify for any of the public funding Crisis Assistance receives. Luckily, thanks to the generous donations made by Providence UMC, there were private funds available. A payment was made to the electric company, and this family was able to remain comfortable and safe in their home.
During her conversation with the caseworker, Denise mentioned that, even though she works in banking, she could use some help organizing her personal finances. Arrangements were made for her to begin working one-on-one with a Crisis Assistance Ministry specialist. Over the next several months, Denise will evaluate her relationship with money, set personal goals, and receive coaching and support to achieve them. Denise said she already knows what her first goal is: Build up enough savings so she can not only pay all her own bills every month but also make regular donations to the agency that will help others in the community when they need it most.
November 2023
Water is a critical resource for everyone, and even more so for families with young children. So, when Cheryl received notice that her water was being disconnected for nonpayment, the mother of four panicked. With the children ranging in age from 14 years to 8 months, someone was always needing clean clothes or to use the bathroom or take a shower. With the birth of her baby earlier this year, Cheryl had to leave her job because paying for full-time childcare along with after-school care for her two middle children was not possible on her salary. The children’s father was faithful in paying weekly child support, but he recently lost his job, leaving Cheryl with no income for the past few months. She knows she is fortunate to receive a rental subsidy that covers most of that expense, but the other bills kept coming, and growing. Cheryl was familiar with Crisis Assistance Ministry, as it is her go-to place for shopping free-of-charge for her family’s clothing and household items. She never imagined she would need to apply for financial assistance, but that day had come. When a caseworker told her that funds were available (from Providence UMC) to pay the past due bill and keep her water running, Cheryl felt her panic turn to relief and gratitude. Our generous community helped ensure that this family, along with many others, can remain safe, comfortable, and healthy in their home.