Charlotte Center For Urban Ministry

About

The Urban Ministry Center is an interfaith organization dedicated to bringing the community together to end homelessness - one life at a time.

Mission

The Urban Ministry Center is an interfaith organization dedicated to bringing the community together to end homelessness - one life at a time.

Products

1. Is Urban Ministry Center a shelter? No, we do not have shelter space. We offer Room in the Inn, an emergency winter shelter program, from December thru March. Mecklenburg County's Housing Specialist, Megan Coffey, has her office here, 704-926-0617. She is able to assist those clients who have an income source. Without the means to pay market rent in Charlotte, all others are relegated to staying with friends or family, or a a shelter. A good resource in terms of a database of rentals properties in Charlotte: www.socialserve.com

2. Where are the shelters? Charlotte has two year-round shelters: Salvation Army Center of Hope, 704-348-2560, for women/children and some intact family rooms for single fathers or married couples with children. The Uptown Shelter accommodates men: 704-334-3187. During the winter months,the Emergency Winter Shelter for men at 3410 Statesville Avenue.

3. Does Urban Ministry have money for rent or utilities? No, the main resource for emergency financial assistance is Crisis Assistance Ministry, 704-371-3001.

4. Does Urban Ministry Center receive United Way funding? No. We raise all our funds through private donations.

5. My church wants to help with Room in the Inn. How do I find out about that? Contact Program Director Julie Putnam.

6. Why do you call the people who come to you for help, your "neighbors?" We are grounded in the belief that we are all each others neighbors, thereby providing a "ministry of presence," a sense of community and hope.

7. How many homeless people are there in Charlotte? Urban Ministry Center considers our neighbors to be the 6500 people in Mecklenburg County without a reliable and safe place to sleep--including those who live on the streets, in shelters, with friends or family, under bridges, in the woods, or in their cars. They are fellow citizens who are dealing with a complex web of issues -- lack of affordable housing and healthcare, insufficient income, domestic violence, addictions or mental disorders, physical handicaps.

Please email us with your additional questions.

Thank you.