With the belief that every person has the ability to achieve independence and self-sufficiency by connecting to a community network of friendship and support, Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry Navigators work alongside each neighbor to direct him/her to community programs and services that will help the neighbor and his/her family become more stable. We do this by providing crisis aid through financial assistance got rent/mortgage and utilities. In addition, thanks to a grant from the Catawba County United Way, we have an opportunity to prevent homelessness by being able to pay deposits for neighbor's homes, or first month/last month rent - which ever is required to get into a new home, or rent support to be able to stay in the home they currently have. We provide supplemental monthly food for all who qualify in addition to Seniors who live in subsidized housing.

* Establish a Neighbor Engagement Team (NET); the first stop for all our neighbors in need - NET is responsible for Neighbor Intake * Provide a GHCCM card for those who qualify, which then enables our neighbors to receive GHCCM services - NET qualifies each neighbor; must be homeless or within 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines to be eligible for services * WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan) is the next step for neighbors where assessment occurs - Assess whether crisis or chronic - If Crisis: provide immediate services for: food (GHCCM's Nutrition Center), clothing/housewares (GHCCM's thrift store 31 Thrift and More! vouchers), medical attention (GHCCM's Free and Charitable Clinic), medicine (GHCCM's Medical Pharmacy), financial assistance (GHCCM's Neighbor Engagement Team)* - Financial assistance is provided for partial rent/mortgage and utility payments - If Chronic: identify the factors keeping the neighbor in poverty and proceed to develop a plan for recovery through various paths, as determined by the WRAP Navigator and the neighbor. * When it is determined that the neighbor is ready, willing and able to take the 'next step' forward, the Navigator identifies that next step and connects the neighbor with the appropriate resources made available through the GHCCM's Whole Life Center (or an outside partnering agency where necessary) -The Neighbor Navigator then begins a systematic follow up with each neighbor to promote success and advancement to the 'next step'

* Neighbor Engagement Team: Currently has 5 Full Time Employees - Assistant Executive Director provides oversight - Neighbor Navigator in charge of Intake - WRAP Neighbor Navigator - Neighbor Engagement Team Coordinator; provides financial assistance - Housing Coordinator; provides integrated entry for housing (finds homes for the homeless) through Partner's Behavioral Health * Nutrition Services: Currently has 2 Full Time and 1 part-time position - Director of Human Services and Wellness provides supervision - Nutrition Coordinator insures management and logistics of food supplies (majority donated), we are also a Second Harvest Food Bank - Nutrition warehouse manager makes sure we are operating at optimal capacity to service our neighbors in need - Nutrition Center Distributor, meets neighbors and checks for eligibility and facilitates distribution

We make progress daily by helping those that cannot help themselves. By tracking every neighbor that comes through our doors we are able to assess whether or not we truly provide 'next step' services or are merely providing a hand out. We use Charity Tracker as the overall Ministry on-line data tracking system. Our Medical Clinic uses Athena on-line medical web service tracking system to track patience and their medical outcomes, such as patient medical compliance, etc. Our pharmacy uses QS1 as their data base for prescriptions and patient compliance. In addition Charity Tracker allows us to communicate with member organizations such as Eastern Catawba County Christian Ministry and Catawba County United Way to insure we are not duplicating services for the same individual during a specified time frame.

In 2019 we provided over 27,000 services, and supported 3369 neighbors with assistance. As we move forward our intention is to not only provide assistance on a crisis or chronic level, but to provide a pathway for each neighbor who has the ability and desire to move forward. By participating in our 'next step' programs, neighbors will gain valuable marketable skills, build self-confidence, establish financial stability and so much more. Our greatest desire is to journey with those who have less to become more. The Whole Life Center (WLC) was created with the vision of being that 'one stop' for our neighbors as they seek and participate in programs beyond the basics of food, clothing, medicine, housing, and medical services. At the WLC an individual can participate in a financial counseling appointment, do their laundry and learn how to prepare a healthy meal all in the same day and at the same location. We want to transform food distribution into healthy, nutritious meals. The WLC has a full service laundry on site, and a shower ministry on the main campus. We truly can provide for the whole person, this providing a 'wholistic' approach to neighbor care.