Cabarrus Cooperative Christian Ministry

Housing Programs: Families that are deprived of safe and affordable housing cannot adequately store and prepare food, sustain proper hygiene or achieve adequate sleep, 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 families with children, while the fastest growing homeless population is senior adults. CCMs housing programs served 34 families this year (including 40 children), providing safe housing, nutritious meals, tutoring for students, educational and training opportunities for parents, and case management resources to resident families. 78% of these families progressed within our model or moved to other safe/stable housing, and 100% of the families improved their household financial status. CCM restores hope in the lives of individuals and families facing hardship due to adverse life circumstances. CCMs food and financial services provide relief, in a Christ-centered environment, while our structured housing program guides families towards personal and financial stability.

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 services division 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, 551 households (1,672 individuals) avoided utility cut-offs and / or evictions through CCMs financial services. 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.

Food Assistance: CCM recognizes food insecurity creates stress in nay household that distracts families from activities that would otherwise improve health and everyday stability. Alternatively, children, especially those 0-5 that benefit from good nutrition more often experience healthy cognitive development leading to improved household 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 60,497 people this year (including 27,651 children), totaling 1,128,477 pounds of food. Our evening meal program also served nearly 11,296 prepared meals to men, women, and children in need of food and financial relief.