CCM November 2023 Perspective Newsletter

NOVEMBER 2023
PERSPECTIVE
FROM THE FRONTLINES
CELEBRATING 42 YEARS OF RESTORING HOPE
From Our Chief Executive Officer, Ed Hosack
THE CHALLENGE IS MONUMENTAL
Innovation, mobilization
and expansion require
significant investments of
time, talent, and treasures.
You know that! You have
helped to make possible
the growth, vitality and
impact of CCM’s crisis
services in our community.
CCM’s capacities that have grown in response to
needs over the last twenty years are overwhelmed
by the current level of need in the community. Trends
indicate needs will escalate as we implement plans
for the future. The question is obvious - do we grow
again in an exponential way or do we brace our
delivery systems to operate meeting a fraction of the
need.
The answer is “There is no question”. CCM will honor
the confidence of our Cabarrus County neighbors
and we will respond in the manner that we have
since 1981. We will introduce viable new solutions
that will expand the capacities of CCM’s programs
and we will implement innovative services that
continue our history of moving people out of crisis.
Your partnership has made our impact possible and
your continued gifts are vital and appreciated. We
thank you for your time, talent, and treasures but
the greatest value of our relationship is YOU. Your
awareness, your passion, your commitment, and your
voice. The challenge ahead is monumental. It will
require many more of our neighbors to get involved.
I believe God intends to engage many more people,
but they must hear about it. Our greatest ask of
you this season is that you share your perspective
regarding the value and effectiveness of CCM.
We ask that you simply introduce CCM and the Bold
New Initiative wherever you are in the community.
You do not have to convince anyone. God has
created a compelling story in His work through CCM
and the plans He has for us. He will take it from there.
To God be the Glory!

From Our Chief Relationship Officer, Jeremy Burleson
TELL, SHOW, INVITE
Cooperative Christian Ministry’s previous (2017-2019) strategic planning, growth
and fundraising philosophy adopted a strategy of TELL, SHOW & INVITE.
To most, that’ll sound quite familiar as it mirrors the approach of how Jesus
ministered:
To strengthen the ministry the way that Jesus did; by building relationships,
by meeting people face to face and demonstrating God’s love in action and by
inviting people to be a part of something that changes lives.
That approach continues to serve as the core foundation of this ministry present-day, and we hold firm to
these fundamental and Scriptural truths as we share CCM’s messaging:
TELL – To meet members of our community
where they are, address their current needs and
empower them to move beyond crisis and seek
restoration.
SHOW – To demonstrate God’s love through a
network of food, financial assistance, housing
and educational resources that encourages
individuals to acknowledge their gifts and
discover the purpose and fulfillment that God
intends for their lives. (Psalm 57:2)
INVITE – CCM encourages you to PRAY and ask
God how you may best collaborate with our
ministry. If that’s adding CCM to daily prayer,
then we welcome it. If that’s supporting in other
tangible ways through volunteering your time or
giving financially, we say THANK YOU!
It is CCM’s hope and prayer that we are the
absolute best at THANK YOU! Whether that
be a handshake, a fist bump, a hug, a verbal
acknowledgment or a good old-fashioned, handwritten
note of gratitude… it’s important for
YOU to know that YOU are ESSENTIAL to our
ministry’s success here in Cabarrus and southern
Rowan counties. The support of individuals,
families, businesses, faith community partners
and foundations are what have carried CCM
through 42+ years of ministry in this incredible
community.
We recognize that messages of THANKS are
important aspects of relationship building at any
point throughout a calendar year, however we
especially acknowledge this upcoming season of
THANKSGIVING and pray God’s blessings on you
and your families!
We invite you to PRAY alongside us,
and ENGAGE with CCM. CLICK HERE to
learn more about the impact that CCM
has in this community, and how YOU can
be a part of sharing God’s love through
partnership and support.
IN THIS EDITION...
Event proceeds benefit
programs including HUNTERS FEED CABARRUS
COUNTY. Fund will help process donated deer
into ground venison for CCM Food Pantries
2025 New Horizon Strategic Plan Updates........... 3
Thank You!..........................................................................4
Partner Spotlight.............................................................. 5
Upcoming EVENTS......................................................... 6
Volunteer Opportunities................................................ 7

CLICK TO VIEW
The full Strategic Plan
INNOVATIVE CO-CREATION
Serving Expectant Mothers
CCM’s Financial Assistance team is collaborating on a pilot
with Gate Pregnancy Resource Center to provide increased
financial security to expectant mothers. Through this
partnership, mothers receiving care and pregnancy services
from Gate have access to CCM’s financial assistance team
to assist with past due rent or utility bills. In addition,
the CCM team will connect mothers to community and
other CCM services that can further support them in their
pregnancy journey.
A Glimpse into the Struggle.
“I’m sorry, but we have to let you go.” Mary’s supervisor
told her after she requested a lightened workload. At six
months pregnant, Mary no longer feels safe lifting heavy
objects on her job. She is concerned that if the work stress
continues, she will be in danger of harming her unborn
child. As Mary began her job search, the reliable childcare
she depended on informed her they could no longer work
with her, adding another level of complexity to Mary’s
dilemma.
Despite the adversity Mary is enduring, she continues
to work with Gate Pregnancy’s staff to ensure her and
her baby's well-being. CCM’s Financial Assistance team
engaged when she shared with her caseworker that
she was in danger of eviction. CCM was able to assist
Mary with rent to avoid eviction and to connect Mary to
additional resources to ensure stability for herself and her
children.
CCM brings a valuable component to client
care that is beyond the scope of what we can
provide. By partnering with CCM we are able
to elevate client services and escalate client
support. Thank you CCM for partnering with us.
~ Kathy Bridge, Executive Director of Gate
Pregnancy Resource Center.
Learning As We Go. How much money does it take to
stabilize a family?
The answer is simple: it is different for every household.
The assistance amount for one family may not scratch
the surface for another household’s specific needs and
unique crises. We are in early stages of design through this
partnership of an advanced model of financial/educational
assistance that will help qualifying households transition
from crisis to stability.
The WINDOWS of OPPORTUNITY Capital Campaign is a three-year initiative to raise $15,500,000 to establish the
Rebuilders Campus at Brown Mill Commons. You can be a part of this great work in our community!
1 YEAR
COMMITMENT
2 YEAR
COMMITMENT
3 YEAR
COMMITMENT
ONE TIME
GIFT
$100 per month
x 12 months
= $1200
$50 per month
x 24 months
= $1200
$34 per month
x 36 months
= $1200
We accept
one-time gifts for
any amount.
IN-KIND
GIFTS
IN-KIND GIFTS Options are available and are welcome. This
project will need a considerable amount of help from many
industries
PARTNER WITH US IN THIS BOLD INITATIVE!

We are immensely
grateful to Shoe Show
and The Tucker family
for their generous
$250,000 donation to Cooperative Christian
Ministry for the Celebrate HOPE event, and
for their ongoing support and commitment to
our mission. Thank you for your unwavering
dedication to making a significant and lasting
impact in our community.
On behalf of CCM and the CROP Hunger Walk
committee, we would like to thank our sponsors and
everyone that supported the Cabarrus County Crop
Hunger Walk this year. Together we raised $20,689 to
fight hunger locally and globally. In addition, 530lbs of
food was collected for our food pantry.
THANK YOU to
The Gene Hass
Foundation for
their generous
$25,000 donation
to Cooperative
Christian Ministry.
Your support not
only empowers our
mission but also brings hope and positive
change to the lives of those we serve.
2023 CROP Walk Sponsors:
Atkinson Family Eye
Care
Branchview Dental
Brothers Tire Sales
Cabarrus Eye Center
Calvary Lutheran Church
Cannon Pharmacy
Center Methodist
Central UMC
First Presb. Concord
Forest Hill UMC
Independent Tribune
Kimball Memorial
Lady's Funeral Home
McGill Baptist
Memorial UMC
Moose Pharmacy
Mt. Hermon
Red Dragon Productions
Shoe Show / Tucker
Foundation
St. James Lutheran
Whitley & Sons
Wilkinson Funeral Home
KFD “Stuff the Truck” - 1600lbs
Girls Scouts - 300lbs
Atrium Nursing Dept. Health Fair – 263lbs
Baha’i Community of Concord – 197lbs
SHOE SHOW – 401lbs
Central Cabarrus High School HOSA – 232lbs

We want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to
Elevation Church - Concord for their incredible
generosity and community spirit in celebrating their
10 year anniversary with
a $10,000 donation to
Cooperative Christian
Ministry. Your support
will have a profound
impact on those in need
and is a testament to
the power of faith in
action.
We are very grateful
to WoodmenLife
for their generous
donation to CCM. Your
support is instrumental
in enabling us to
continue meeting
the critical needs of
individuals and families
in crisis.
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Our Education and Support Services Department
in partnership with NOVA Credit Union, Prosperity
Unlimited and Rowan Cabarrus Community College
completed a five week financial literacy course called
Breaking Free from the Money Traps. In this course,
the 12 participants learned about banking, budgeting,
credit, checking and savings accounts, predatory loans
and much more. The participants were also paired
with their own financial coach who assisted them with
pulling and reviewing their credit report, creating an
individualized budget and setting
financial goals. All graduates were
given a stipend for attending each
session and all of them opened a
savings account with NOVA, who
provided the $5.00 minimum balance
to establish the account. One graduate
said, “In the last five weeks, I was able
to increase my credit score and balance my debt to
income ratio” and another commented, “This course
helped me realize that I do not have to be embarrassed
about the poor choices I made regarding my past
financial encounters. I am breaking free today!”
We are planning to hold our next Breaking Free Course
in the Spring of 2024.
Thank You: We would like to thank Midway United
Methodist Church for allowing us to hold the course in
their Fellowship Hall. We would also like to thank our
presenters from NOVA, Prosperity Unlimited and RCCC.
Education and Support Services (ESS)
recently held a financial literacy workshop at
the City of Concord Housing Department -
“Power of Budgeting.” The program was held
in partnership with Chad Epting of Edward
Jones Financial.
Mr. Epting provided participants with
practical knowledge about the “process” of
budgeting, lowering debt, and
how to manage their finances
with confidence. “Knowledge
leads to confidence to create
a good plan. You also need
protection and resilience when
budgeting for wants, needs, and
wishes.” During the course of
activities, he emphasized that
participants be
patient and to not
be intimidated by
the process. He
also suggested
using different
accounts for
different goals
instead of placing
all your savings in
one bucket.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Are you and your family looking for a simple way to give back this
holiday season? Why not consider adopting a family or packing a
shoe box full of goodies for a Senior? You will have the opportunity
to make someone’s Christmas much more meaningful!
You, your family, church group or business can "Adopt-A-Family",
pack a "Senior Care & Share Shoe box" or simply drop off a gift
card to be given to a family in need, at our Crisis Center, located at
246 Country Club Drive NE, Concord.

FALL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
It’s Fall! What a great time to be outdoors. If your group or church is looking
for a way to serve the community, and enjoy the weather, CCM has several Fall
beautification projects coming up.
Additionally, we want to leverage available space at the NEW Rebuilders
Campus at Brown Mill in Concord, by consolidating donated furniture and
appliance items into a centralized location. We are looking for volunteers (small
groups or individuals) to help us during the month of November.
Please check the “I Love My City” website to learn more and find the right fit
for your group at ilovemycityproject.com.
HELP with
HOUSING
HelpWithHousing.net
SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE
LEARN MORE
FOOD
RESOURCES
The NEW ‘Cabarrus County
Food Resource Map’, which was
recently created by the Hunger
Task Force team, is available
on our website. Please share
this valuable resource with the
community.
VIEW MAP
Sign up to round up your monthly City of Concord Utility bill to the nearest dollar
and help keep the air, heat, and lights on for hundreds of families in need.
Visit: https://concordnc.gov/Departments/Customer-Care/
Neighbor-Helping-Neighbor
246 Country Club Drive NE, PO Box 1717
Concord, NC 28026 TEL: 704-786-4709
GIVE ONLINE: www.CooperativeMinistry.com or TEXT: ccmhelps to 44321