Share the Love Art Show and Celebration of Black Queens in our Community

Thank you for helping us celebrate!

Last month, CEF hosted the 2023 Share the Love Art Show & Celebration of Black Queens in our Community. Congratulations to Lorie Clark, Betty Curry, Dorothy Hardin, Dawna Jones, Carolyn Suit, and Katina Welsh! We are so inspired by your work in our community.

And, a big thank you to Julius Alston, Cameron George, David Lyle, Heather Nash, Isabella Ochoa, Sandra Heard, Tonya Whitfield, and Bruce Westbrook for sharing your amazing art and talents with us.

This month you can follow along on CEF’s social media as we celebrate Women’s History Month by hearing from the Queens about the women in their lives who inspire them. You can find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @communityef or on Linked In.

CEF is Hiring!

Four Full-Time Positions!

Are you passionate about building relationships and making a positive impact in your community? CEF is seeking kind, collaborative individuals with the curiosity to drive their professional growth. We are currently hiring for four full-time positions!

The Development & Communications Manager will lead development and communication efforts as CEF continues to grow its reach in the community.

The Finance & Operations Manager will oversee financial management and oversight, manage CEF’s financial coaching & Safe Savings programs, and ensure the organization is complying with all audit and legal recommendations.

The Advocacy Manager will manage CEF’s advocacy efforts, in alignment with CEF’s Strategic Plan, to ensure that the organization is working towards systemic change, increasing access to affordable housing in our communities.

The Member Services Coordinator stewards all services provided to CEF Members in the Durham office and works collaboratively with the leadership of CEF’s Chapel Hill office to ensure consistent and equitable services across our two geographies.

To learn more and apply to these positions visit our website. Please share with your networks!

2023 Mighty Giveback

CEF has been selected as an Impact Partner!

Band Together and United Way of the Greater Triangle have once again teamed up to present the Mighty Giveback on October 7, 2023 at the Red Hat Amphitheater in Raleigh. CEF is proud to be amongst the 20 local nonprofit organizations selected as an Impact Partner. These 20 nonprofits are providing housing solutions and ensuring Triangle residents and families have a safe place to live and thrive. This year’s headliner is four-time Grammy Award Winner Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit! You can purchase presale tickets with the presale code: Weathervanes

Meet Jess

CEF Member Services & Programs Manager

In your own words, how would you describe the work you do at CEF and why is it important?

I am the Member Services and Programs Manager for both the Chapel Hill and Durham Offices. In my role, I support program staff, guide program strategy, and manage reporting for Member services and Advocate programs. I support and work collaboratively with staff, Advocates, and Members to promote learning and growth.

What led you to work with CEF generally, and also in this particular role?

CEF’s leadership, commitment to community, racial equity, and economic justice foci were all driving forces that led me to work with CEF. CEF’s focus on relationship building and providing services no matter where Members are on their financial or life journey was also appealing. While crisis services are important, we also have to work collaboratively as a community to think about services that foster long-term sustainability.

Deconstructed Podcast

Tema Okun on Her Mythical Paper on White Supremacy

Last month, on the Deconstructed podcast, Tema Okun revisited her 1999 paper on White Supremacy Culture. Tema discusses the impact of the original article, its misuse, and her 2021 website that works to bring clarity on her intentions for the article and provide tools for each of us working to dismantle white supremacy.

We encourage you to have a listen and explore the tools on Okun’s website.

Resources of the Month

Orange County Resource of the Month

This month, Imanie would like to highlight the NC Diaper Bank. The NC Diaper Bank distributes hygiene products through established agencies that work directly with families. Partner agencies in Orange County include the Compass Center, El Centro Hispano, Orange County Health Department, and Orange County DSS. Diapers, feminine hygiene products, and/or adult incontinence supplies are available to clients enrolled in programs at these agencies. At the Compass Center, families may pick up diapers Monday, Wednesday, or Friday from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM.

Durham County Resource of the Month:

This month, the Durham office would like to highlight the Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Team (HEART). Durham has four new crisis response pilots operating under the name “HEART.” The intention of these pilots is to “connect people experiencing non-violent mental health crises or quality of life concerns with the right care by sending new responses that better match residents’ needs.” The program consists of the following teams:

• Crisis Call Diversion: embeds mental health clinicians in Durham’s 911 call center
• Community Response Team: dispatches unarmed 3-person teams as first responders to non-violent behavioral health and quality of life calls for service
• Care Navigation: follow-up after initial contact with first responders to connect folks with community-based care
• Co-Response: pairs clinicians with Durham police officers to respond to certain calls that pose a greater potential safety risk

Office Availability Updates

CEF Durham’s Office Hours:

Tuesday & Thursday: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Tuesday-Thursday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm & 5:00-7:00 pm

Friday: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

CLOSED April 28

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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 April 28

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.