Crisis Assistance Ministry has been a long-time Prosperity Now partner working to close the racial wealth gap in Charlotte, North Carolina. We interviewed Bonnie Tiernan, the organization’s Civic Engagement Manager to learn more about the organization, its successes, and challenges. 

Tell us some background about yourself – how did you get started with your organization? 

I was hired as a bilingual (English-Spanish) customer service representative. But on my first day, a casework position became vacant, and I accepted the position. My coworkers like to joke that I hold the record for the fastest promotion in the agency’s history – twenty minutes! Over the past 19 years, I have held a variety of positions throughout the agency, from the front line to my current role leading Crisis Assistance Ministry community engagement and advocacy efforts.  

What drives you to do work that attempts to close the racial wealth gap? 

On a personal level, I am trying to live up to the ideals of my mother and her parents before her – social justice, racial equity, compassion, and integrity. More broadly, I am compelled to leverage my voice and the advantages I have been granted to work toward a society where everyone has the opportunity to define, achieve, and enhance their family’s economic security. 

What work is your organization doing in the community? 

In a nutshell, Crisis Assistance Ministry provides stability services for the community of Charlotte. This may be through emergency financial assistance with past due rent or utilities, distribution of free-of-charge clothing and essential household goods, financial coaching, or referrals to other organizations.  

In addition, the agency facilitates community conversations focused on the complex issues facing the people we serve. We put the voice of our customers at the center of those discussions by training and supporting them as advocates who accompany the agency and share their wisdom with a variety of audiences. 

Crisis Assistance Ministry also leads a coalition of about a dozen other nonprofits in the Charlotte community called the Financial Security CLT. Each of these organizations has a unique mission and vision, but we all recognize that regardless of the issues we are trying to address, the common thread is economic instability. As a coalition, the members collectively promote and support policies that will increase financial security for the people we individually serve. 

What are some strengths of your organization? 

During its 48 years of operation so far, Crisis Assistance Ministry has had many successes, along with some challenges, of course. We have learned that collaborating with other agencies so that we aren’t duplicating services but rather leveraging each other’s strengths is vital.  Also important is understanding the people we serve, listening to what they want and need, and incorporating their voice into the services offered is critical. Another core principle is recognizing that often, our staff is experiencing some of the same challenges as the people we are serving. Providing emotional support and outlets to our team is important for their mental health and their ability to treat customers with the dignity and respect they deserve.  

I think the key for Crisis Assistance Ministry has been staying true to who we are, what we do best, and what the community relies on us for. There are so many issues out there and lots of good people trying to address them. No single agency can do everything, so it’s important for all agencies to find their strengths and operate from there. 

What policies, strategies, or programs are you advocating for at the state, local or federal level? 

The Financial Security CLT coalition is currently advocating at the local and state level for equitable neighborhood development, affordable housing, Benefits Cliff awareness, and VITA tax preparation. The coalition is researching possible advocacy actions in other areas of financial security such as Baby Bonds, Guaranteed Basic Income, and increased Child Tax Credits.  

What challenges is your organization and community currently facing? 

Crisis Assistance Ministry’s mantra right now is, “The year of transition”. Post-pandemic, we are able to increasingly define how we will operate, as opposed to the survival mode we were all forced into during the pandemic. Discerning which new processes to keep and which to discard is challenging but exciting. 

As the city of Charlotte continues to grow, ensuring that everyone in the community has access to services is complicated. As a result, we are partnering more than ever before with community-based nonprofits. These trusted leaders serve as a bridge between the resources Crisis Assistance Ministry offers and the people who need them. 

Are any of these challenges distinct to your organization or community? 

Crisis Assistance Ministry serves one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, with well over a hundred people moving to Charlotte, NC every day. That, along with the skyrocketing housing prices and the fact that wages in the city are not keeping up with inflation, means there is, and will continue to be, increased demand for the our services.  

What are your organizational goals for the coming year? 

We are working to: 

• Ensure that we have the necessary support from donors, volunteers, institutions, and elected officials so that we can meet the growing need for our services. 

• Increase our reach and effectiveness by partnering with trusted community-based and grassroots organizations. 

• Continue to serve as a Prosperity Now Community Champion, fostering conversations and advocating for policies that directly affect the people weserve. 

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Over the past several months, Prosperity Now has been recruiting for, and renewing our relationship with existing, Community Champions. Prosperity Now Community Champions, which we introduced in 2017 following 5 years of their predecessors known as Assets & Opportunity Network Leaders, are key leaders in communities across the country that are our partners in advancing strong and effective programs and policies at all levels of government. They are organizations that have an active leadership and convening role in their state, local or native communities and commit to advancing systemic policy change and racial and ethnic economic justice.