CCM June 2024 Perspective Newsletter

JUNE 2024
PERSPECTIVE
FROM THE FRONTLINES
CELEBRATING OUR 42ND YEAR OF RESTORING HOPE
THERE IS TROUBLE IN
THE HOOD
It is FATHERHOOD that I am talking about.
"There is little doubt that America is experiencing an unprecedented fatherless crisis.
Approximately 80% of single parent homes are led by single mothers; leading to nearly
25% of our youth growing up without a father in the home." (Burgess Owens, U.S. House
of Representatives, Business and Nonprofit CEO, retired professional athlete, July 2022)
ED HOSACK
CEO
In 2022, 37% of children in US born families lived
in a single parent household. Children of single
parents are more prone to various psychiatric
illnesses, alcohol abuse and suicide attempts than
children from homes with two parents. (The Annie
E. Casey Foundation, August 2022)
IN THIS EDITION
While CCM's programs serve single fathers, senior adults and two
parent families, more than two-thirds of the households we serve are
single moms. It affects our neighborhoods, our schools, our healthcare
systems, even our future. More than anything perhaps, it reflects the
heart of our community to address the urgent needs of our children.
CONTINUED PAGE 2 »
Hunger Doesn't Take a
Summer Vacation..............................3
2025 New Horizon
Strategic Plan Updates.................... 4
Partner Spotlight...............................5
Thank You.......................................... 6
Upcoming Events...............................7

You cannot give what you do not have!
Behind the children, there is often a woman who
is carrying a burden that has overwhelmed her
abilities and exhausted her emotions, diminishing
her self-esteem. Many single mothers in CCM’s
programs need time to breathe, time to heal and
time to realize their value and potential before
they are ready to build relationships that are
mutual and beneficial.
These are the real benefits of CCM’s Path to
Stability model and transitional housing program.
In the dynamic of a single parent family, the
challenges are many. In the lives of the children,
it is not a financial problem and in the heart of a
single mother, it is deeply personal.
In a published report, the Casey
Foundation notes,
Single parents - especially mother only -
are more likely to live in poverty.
“Given this, kids are more likely to
experience the consequences of growing
up poor. Children in poverty are more
likely to have physical, mental and
behavioral health problems, disrupted
brain development, shorter education
trajectories, contact with the child
welfare and justice systems, employment
challenges in adulthood and more.”
(Casey 2022)
What do children need to thrive?
According to the Casey Foundation; “Young
people flourish when they have caring, committed
relationships with parents and other loving
caregivers. We also know the importance of safe,
stable homes, communities and families that
have adequate socioeconomic resources, social
supports and services.”
Our challenge in the community is to change the
direction we have been heading in for decades.
Until there are men teaching younger men how
to be husbands and fathers, and teaching young
women to respect themselves and expect others
to do same, we will continue to carry the cost as a
community.
There are men in our community who stand in
the gap!
They are husbands, fathers, uncles and
grandfathers who are investing in the lives of their
own children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Many men intentionally make themselves available
for children who would not otherwise have the
advantage of positive male interaction.
I am thankful for my dad, a father of five. For many
young people, my father was a volunteer coach, a
youth leader, scoutmaster, and a grandfather. He
was even a registered Girl Scout leader with my
mom at one point.
Did I have an advantage? You bet I did. We
surely faced some challenges financially, but
disadvantaged? Never! I had my dad on my team.
(Matthew 7:11)
CCM is proud to partner with MEN OF DESTINY (MOD)
a local non-profit, focusing on workforce preparedness
through vocational training. MOD offers interactive
skill programs to empower participants for educational
and career success. Their goal is to equip youth with
communication and professional skills for immediate
workforce readiness.

JEREMY BURLESON
CHIEF RELATIONSHIP OFFICER
HUNGER DOESN'T TAKE A
SUMMER VACATION
“School's out for summer,” rings throughout our
community as the last days of school wind down.
For our family, that typically means a few months
of sunshine, summer camps, vacation Bible school,
family vacation and hopefully some carefree days
to relax. It might even feel like a small reprieve
from the busy school schedule, but for many
others it can be a time filled with anxiety as they
contemplate having enough to eat without school
meals.
The reality is that when school ends, so do many
school-based meals. For many children, school
is not just a place for learning, but also a vital
part in accessing regular and nutritious food. The
caregivers, often these single moms that CCM
cares for in our programs, are faced with bridging
a gap in having to provide 1-2 meals each day,
per child. For many, that simple fact only furthers
insecurity, stress, financial strain and creates a
negative impact emotionally for all involved.
Those familiar with CCM may have heard this
statement mentioned from Ed Hosack, our CEO in
conversation… A mother cannot hear what you’re
saying, over the sound of her children’s stomachs
growling. That becomes ever-increasingly true as
these realities set in.
Many children do not see the benefit of the
various programs offered through the school
systems, either due to the lack of transportation
or other restrictions / challenges that prevent that
connection being made.
Eliminating the barriers of accessing good,
nutritious foods is KEY to supporting these
families during these summer months. Food
becomes more accessible when it’s available
where these families live, work and play, without
the added burden of having to seek it out.
Changing the way families access food is certainly
one step in combating these insecurities.
So, what can WE/YOU do to help?
CONNECT with several hunger relief
programs offered through CCM or other
agencies:
Summer "SUN Bucks" Program: Click Here for Information
Local School Systems - Summer Meal Programs:
Cabarrus County | Kannapolis City
Cabarrus County Food Resource Guide/Map:
Click Here for Information
CCM Mobile Food Pantry Schedule: Click Here for Information
Samaritan's Table - Evening Meal Program: Click Here for
Information
WE INVITE
YOU TO
ALONGSIDE
PRAY
ENGAGE
&
WITH CCM
CLICK to learn how
CCM has impacted this
community and how YOU
can be part of sharing
God’s love through
partnership and support.
Host a "Summer Food Drive" of your own! Email Kris

CLICK TO VIEW
the full Strategic Plan
SAMARITAN'S TABLE CONTINUES TO
FILL A NEED FOR MANY FAMILIES
KRIS EDSCORN
FOOD PROGRAM MANAGER
CCM launched Samaritan’s Table as a supper
ministry in Kannapolis about 20 years ago,
after the Pillowtex Mills closed. The organizers
envisioned it as a means of assisting families who
were still living on the edge financially.
The program went through several versions the
first few years, before we settled on the current
one, which has been in place for more than 10
years. Several different churches serve as host
sites on a specific day each week, and then other
churches and groups provide the meals each
week. Currently, our host churches are Journey
Church on Mondays (on the campus of New Hope
Lutheran Church), Trinity United Methodist Church
on Wednesdays (called “God’s Supper Table”), and
Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church on Thursdays.
It is our hope to resume having a Tuesday site too.
About another dozen or more churches and
groups take turns providing the meals, usually on
a monthly basis. Before the COVID pandemic, the
program operated as sit-down meals. However,
when COVID hit, all the sites immediately went
to a drive-through model, providing take-home
meals. This continues to be the model we are
following, as it seems to suit better both the
groups providing the meals and the guests.
At each site each week, the serving church or
group will prepare and serve between 70 and 90
meals. If there are leftovers, a couple of volunteers
will gladly deliver the food to homeless camps or
others who cannot come pick up the food.
This program always has provided more than just
food for those who might be hungry or foodinsecure.
When we had the sit-down meals, there
was a lot of networking and socialization going
on. Even now, with the drive-through model, many
families will come early, park, and get out and
interact with each other. Also, volunteers from
the host and serving groups will go from family to
family, check in on them, and offer prayer if they
wish.
We are so grateful for all the churches and civic
groups who work together to make this program
possible. There IS an immediate need for a
couple more serving groups on Mondays—the
2nd Mondays and the 5th Mondays. If your
church or organization is interested or wants more
information, please reach out to:
Kris Edscorn – Kedscorn@CooperativeMinistry.
com or 704-706-9897.

P ARTNER SPOTLIGHT
BREAKING FREE
FROM THE MONEY
TRAPS
EDUCATION & SUPPORT SERVICES
In partnership with NOVA Credit
Union, Prosperity Unlimited and
RCCC, CCM has hosted six Breaking
Free Courses since January, 2020.
72 people have attended a Breaking
Free Course and 61 of them have
“graduated”. Breaking Free educates
community members about
understanding credit, checking and
savings accounts, predatory lending
practices and more. In addition to five
classroom sessions, participants are
paired with a financial coach to help
them develop individualized goals and
start down the path of savings, credit
repair and home ownership.
“We really loved it, what made it even more special is that we were able to do it as a family
and all of us saw immediate benefits from it. It was clear and concise and it really packed
a punch, we have already told our friends about it so that their kids can take advantage of
being financially savvy from a very young age. Wish we had this opportunity way younger!”
“It felt really good to start a savings account and to learn how to start budgeting my money.
I feel like I am on the way to repairing my credit and make better financial decisions.”
COMMUNITY NEWS
Each year, the Leadership Cabarrus class completes a class legacy project that
addresses a pressing community need in a significant way. This year’s class partnered
with 1CAN Inc., a Cabarrus County nonprofit, to build two Blessing Boxes where those
needing food can access it freely. The two boxes
are located at Weddington Hills Elementary
School and Gibson Mill, both places identified as
key areas to support those in need. Additionally,
they held a food drive to collect food to stock the
boxes, updated marketing materials for 1CAN and
raised $15,000 in corporate sponsorships to keep
these and other boxes stocked!

THANK YOU
CCM would like to thank Christy’s Nursery
and Village Chapel for their recent donations.
Christy’s provided Mother’s Day plants for all
our teaching house program participants and
Village Chapel provided bouquets for all of
the mothers at the MaC House.
CCM would like to thank the Genuine Team
for coming out and hosting a Spring Cook Out
for the families in CCM’s Housing Program!
We enjoyed the burgers, hot dogs, and all the
treats! We’re also very grateful for the toys
and school items donated to the housing
ministry and above all, for the invaluable
connections and prayers made.
MAY FOOD DRIVES
• First Baptist, Kannapolis - 350 lbs.
• Poplar Tent Presbyterian - 470 lbs.
• Center United Methodist - 643 lbs.
• Cabarrus County Offices - 773 lbs.
Letter Carrier's Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive
1,310 lbs. (Concord Parkway Office)
3,131 lbs. (Kannapolis Office)
We also greatly appreciate Christy’s Nursery,
who have been donating LOTS of vegetable
plants for our clients to take and plant.
Each year CCM selects two High School Seniors to receive the Frances Black Holland
scholarship award. Frances Black Holland served our community as a Bible Teacher at
A.L. Brown High School from 1954 to 1959. She later returned to teaching, serving over 25
years as a Cabarrus County public school teacher. This scholarship recognizes students
who have exemplified a commitment to their education and to their community, using
their skills and talents to help others overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.
Concord High School award winner,
Emmanuel Cortes Moran.
Pictured here with Principal Dr. Adam
Auerbach and Jeremy Burleson.
A.L. Brown award winner,
Juan Bautista Marquez.
Pictured here with Ed Hosack and
Jeremy Burleson.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Attention all Nonprofit
Leaders, Staff, and Volunteers!
SAVE THE DATE!
CABARRUS COUNTY
NONPROFIT WORKSHOP
AUGUST 22, 2024
8:30 AM – 1:00 PM AT CROSSROADS CHURCH
220 GEORGE W. LILES PARKWAY, CONCORD
SUMMER/FALL MOBILE FOOD
PANTRY DATES
June 13 (Thursday) – 10:00-12:00
Bethel Church of Midland
12700 Idlebrook Dr., Midland
Sponsored by Bethel Church of Midland
July 30 (Tuesday) – 10:00-12:00
Elevation Church Concord
545 Concord Pkwy N, Concord
Sponsored by Elevation Church Concord
September 12 (Thursday) – 10:00-12:00
St. James the Greater Catholic Church
139 Manor Ave. SW, Concord 28025
Sponsored by Knights of Columbus
October 24 (Thursday) – 10:00-12:00
Kannapolis
Co-Sponsored by Poplar Tent Presbyterian and
Roberta Methodist

EXPERTS IN
HUNGER RELIEF
HELP with
HOUSING
HelpWithHousing.net
SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE
FOOD
RESOURCES
The ‘Cabarrus County Food
Resource Map’, which was
created by the Hunger Task
Force, is available on our
website. Please share this
valuable resource with the
community.
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
NEW! CCM Career Opportunities
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