About Us

Founded in 1994, the Urban Ministry Center is an interfaith organization that serves poor and homeless people with love, compassion and tangible help that comes in countless forms. Last year, for example, our Soup Kitchen served more than 99,000 lunches to poor men, women and children…and we offered yoga instruction to homeless men struggling with addiction. We offered the privacy of a bathroom, the relief of a hot shower, the dignity of clean laundry to thousands of people…and volunteer dental professionals brought smiles to hundreds. More than 16,000 nights’ lodging were offered through our Room in the Inn winter shelter program…and 12 chronically homeless people got the keys to their very own apartment. Our community garden grows organic vegetables for the Soup Kitchen…and creativity and self-respect thrive in the fertile ground of our ArtWorks program. An army of 10,000 regular, seasonal and one-time volunteers made it all happen.  They are the heart and hands behind everything we do.

If you are new to the Urban Ministry Center, welcome.  Thanks for visiting our website and we invite you to visit us in person too.

Urban Ministry Center
945 N. College St
Charlotte, NC 28206
Phone: 704-347-0278
Fax:       704-347-3570
Also see direct dial extensions on Staff page
Hours: 
Monday through Friday
8:30 until 4:30 p.m.
 
Soup Kitchen Hours:
Lunch every day
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

 History


The Urban Ministry Center opened its doors in December 1994 as a partnership of uptown congregations and businesses to address the needs of the poor and homeless with compassion and tangible help. 

 Founding partners include: Bank of America, First Union, Duke Power, Bell South, TransAmerica, Knight Foundation, Mecklenburg County and Uptown Development Corporation, St. Peter’s Episcopal, St. Peter’s Catholic, First United Methodist and First Presbyterian. Our original home was in the old train station building on North Tryon St.  The Soup Kitchen founded by St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in 1979 relocated to this building. In 2006, we expanded services and moved into our new building, located directly across from the old train station. 

The Urban Ministry Center serves as a point of entry to services offered by a network of agencies that work closely to provide necessary opportunities for the homeless population. We are an interfaith agency drawing support and volunteers from more than 130 congregations. 
The Urban Ministry Center is funded by donations from private individuals, congregations, corporations and foundations. We receive no United Way funding. 
 
Our Mission

The Charlotte Urban Ministry Center is an interfaith organization dedicated to serving our homeless neighbors and helping end homelessness. We do this by mobilizing our community, building relationships, and providing compassionate, empowering ministries.


Our Vision

 


To bring the community together to end homelessness – one life at a time.

 
Our Values


 

    • Respect: We believe each life has dignity. We are all God’s children.
    • Compassion: We show our compassion in our ministries of presence.
    • Personal attention: We treat people as individuals with unique concerns.
    • Empowerment: We assist our neighbors so they can move toward self-sufficiency.
    • Hope: We believe that God doesn’t give up on us and we don’t give up on one another.
    • Community: Our programs are designed to engage people and build trusting relationships.
    • We understand that rich and poor have much to share with each other.