2022 Piggy Bank Bash

CEF’s Annual Event

Join us on November 14, for the first in-person Piggy Bank Bash since 2019. We will be at Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe, sharing updates and building deeper connections with the wider community. Invite your friends for a fun evening of delicious food and drink, a performance by the CEF Advocacy Choir, and opportunities to hear directly from people impacted by our work. VIP tickets are available which will include a VIP Happy Hour with CEF Executive Director, Donna Carrington, from 5:00-6:00pm.

There will be lots of fun door prizes throughout the night as we reach our fundraising thresholds! We will also have a silent auction for folks to bid on trip packages to Alaska, Iceland, Tuscany, San Francisco/Napa Valley, Sedona, Spain, or Costa Rica!

All proceeds from the Piggy Bank Bash support CEF’s work reducing homelessness and poverty in Orange and Durham Counties. Purchase your tickets at the link below.

CEF is hiring!

Join the CEF Team!

Are you looking to be a part of building a joyful community? We are currently hiring the following full-time positions:

Member Services & Programs Manager (Chapel Hill & Durham): This position will represent CEF in city-wide coalitions, provide supervision to CEF’s core program staff, manage data & reporting for Member Services and Advocate programs, and further the mission and vision of the organization as a member of the Executive Leadership Team.

Member Services Coordinator (Durham): This position is a part of the core program staff and co-leads CEF’s Durham office. The MSC is responsible for stewarding services for Members in CEF’s Durham office and works collaboratively with the leadership of CEF’s Chapel Hill program to ensure consistent and equitable services across our two geographies. The MSC also maintain CEF Durham’s relationships with a wide variety of local service providers, represents CEF in collaborative spaces within Durham County’s human services systems, and manages special projects specific to the needs of Durham-based Members. This position works closely with the Durham staff team to support office operations, including providing in-person support in the office several days a week, facilitating and supporting volunteers, supervising interns, and participating in and co-facilitating regular team meetings.

Office & Community Organizer (Durham): This position is responsible for both bottom-lining office operations in the Durham office and leading CEF’s organizing and advocacy efforts with Members in our Durham office. The Office and Community Organizer creates a welcoming, healing-centered office environment that emphasizes each person as creative, resourceful, and whole. The OCO facilitates Member-led advocacy efforts including monthly Time + Talents meetings, marches and rallies, etc.

For more info and to apply click the link below!

Welcome Ishaan!

Chapel Hill Member Resource Specialist

“The bulk of my work is focused on identifying and building out resources for the community to expand the way that CEF can support Members. My long-project is focused on a Homebuyers Program, where we are trying to work with other local housing organizations to try and expand access to home ownership!

I worked as an Advocate for multiple years in the Durham office, so that introduced me to CEF’s work. I think in particular, I learnt to slow down and hold space for Members, peers and myself. This is a skill I hope to continue to develop through the next few years. In addition, I think that I can be extremely reliable, and hope to bring this constancy to my work at CEF.”

Read more from Ishaan at the blog post linked below.

Student Loan Debt Relief

Application is OPEN! Debt Discharge Temporarily Halted

A federal appeals court has temporarily halted the Biden Administration’s Student Debt Relief plan, but you can still fill out the application! Filling out the application now will expedite your debt relief later if the courts rule in favor of the Biden Administration. The application takes less than 5 minutes with no login or documents required. Individuals who made less than $125,000 and couples who made less than $250,000 in 2021 or 2020 are eligible. After you apply, the Department of Education will determine your eligibility or contact you if more information is needed. Your loan servicer will let you know when your relief has been processed. To learn more and apply visit here.

Resources of the Month

Orange County Resource of the Month:

This month, Imanie would like to highlight the Triangle Veteran’s Bridge Home. Veterans Bridge Home connects Veterans and their families, in any state of transition, to the community. Through a network of partners, Veteran Bridge helps Veterans navigate employment, create social connections, and settle their families. All Veterans are eligible regardless of discharge status or criminal history.

Durham County Resource of the Month:

This month, the Durham office would like to highlight The Giving Closet. The Giving Closet is where Durham County residents can receive free infant, toddler, children and maternity clothing, as well as accessories and baby equipment. To be eligible shoppers must:

• be a Durham County resident (must verify once a year).
• be 4 months pregnant and/or have at least one child ages 0-5 years (must verify that children are legally in your care).
• provide valid photo ID each visit.

Shoppers can select

• a variety of clothing
• accessories (socks, bibs, blankets, shoes, books, bottles, etc.)
• 1 large piece of equipment (if available)
• diapers 

The Giving Closet is currently open Fridays from 9:00AM til 1:00PM by appointment only. Call 919-560-7150 to make an appointment. They are located at 721 Foster St., Durham, NC 27701.

Office Availability Updates

CEF Durham’s Office Hours:

Tuesday-Thursday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Tuesday & Thursday: 5:00-7:00 pm

Friday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

CLOSED: November 21 through 25

🕓

CEF Chapel Hill’s Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Thursday: 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Friday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

CLOSED: November 21 through 25

Can I still make a virtual appointment?

Yes! CEF Members with the capacity to meet through online video chat software (like Zoom, Skype, or Google Meet) or over the phone will be encouraged to continue with this option. You can specify this option when you call the office to make an appointment.

We recognize that we work and CEF’s offices are located on the unceded territories of the Eno, Lumbee, Occaneechi, Saponi, Shakori, and Skaruhreh/Tuscarora tribes. We acknowledge and respect the ancestral & present land stewardship and place-based knowledge of the peoples of these territories. Please support them directly.