Cabarrus Cooperative Christian Ministry

Financial Assistance; The cycle of loss begins with loss of choices; which, to the one in crisis, feels like loss of control. It spirals quickly to loss of food security, and then loss of stability with monthly bills, as the cycle accelerates towards loss of utilities and loss of housing. CCMs financial assistance program is designed to intervene in the cycle of loss before it gains momentum. Initial contact through our online inquiry module and/or visits to our food pantries provides opportunity to address utility cut-off warnings or eviction notices before that cycle amplifies. Last year, 1,222 households (3,421 individuals) avoided utility cut-offs, evictions, and the inability to maintain prescription medications through CCMs financial assistance program. CCMs comprehensive approach recognizes barriers to access in at least seven sectors of our local economy and community life. Our collaborative services model leverages the strengths of our local services network to remove barriers and provide access to vital resources in the community.

Housing Programs: Families that are deprived of safe and affordable housing cannot adequately store and prepare food, they cannot sustain proper hygiene or achieve adequate sleep, they cannot make routine medical appointments or even maintain a regimen of proper medications. They cannot support the tasks necessary to encourage success in school or performance in the workplace, and they cannot establish the stability to participate in after-school activities or community life. The largest population of growth among the homeless in Cabarrus County is homeless families with children. CCMs housing programs served 42 families this year (including 54 children), providing safe housing, nutritious meals, tutoring for students, educational and training opportunities for parents, and case management resources to resident families. 88% of these families progressed within our model or moved to other safe/stable housing, and 84% of the families improved their household financial status. CCMs mission remains to meet individuals and families where they are to address their immediate crisis needs, and then engage with them to provide guidance, access to resources, and opportunities to regain stability in their lives. The ministrys newly established Education & Support Services division offers are integrated services approach in providing access and delivering education that helps to create a path to that stability by teaching perseverance and restoring hope among struggling families in our communities.

Food Assistance: CCM recognizes that children that benefit from good nutrition more often experience healthy cognitive development leading to improved household stability. Alternatively, food insecurity creates stress in the home that distracts families from activities that would otherwise improve health and everyday stability. CCMs network of food pantries provides access to nutritious food within 15 minutes of all Cabarrus County residents. This network, combined with a series of mobile food pantries, distributed groceries to 53,368 people this year (including 17,022 children), totaling 1,104,331 pounds of food. Our evening meal program also served nearly 11,026 prepared meals to men, women, and children in need of food and financial relief.