Author Archive | thecef

Congratulations to Opportunity Circle Graduates

By on 7/3/11 in General
Paula receives her certificate for successful completion of the CEF Opportunity Circle

Paula receives her certificate for successful completion of the CEF Opportunity Circle

CEF is pleased to announce the graduation of the Rogers Road Community Opportunity Circle! Graduates completed 14 whole weeks of training, meeting weekly at the Rogers Road Community Center in Chapel Hill to teach each other financial, health, and job readiness skills.

The graduates celebrated their success on Tuesday, June 28th by recounting the goals they had set and achieved while in the program. We cooled off with some delicious Locopops, presented award certificates to participants, and brainstormed ways to stick together beyond graduation.

This group of graduates will be organizing a weekly walking group, meeting every Tuesday evening to both keep in touch and hold each other accountable to health goals set during the Opportunity Circle. We’re so glad the circle is staying together!

And, bonus points… With their success in the Opportunity Circles, these CEF members will now be able to receive a ten percent match from CEF towards their savings goals.

Congratulations all! We look forward to continuing to partner with all of you, and thank you for making us a part of your dreams.

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CEF Featured in Federal Reserve Bank's Magazine

By on 6/2/11 in General, In the News

Along with fellow student-run microfinance institutions from across the country, the Community Empowerment Fund was featured in an article by Lyn E. Haralson in “The Bridges,” the magazine of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.

To read the article, click here.

Thanks to the Federal Reserve Bank for sharing information with their readers about CEF’s work, and to all our fellow student-run MFI’s who do fantastic work and whom we continue to learn from — including the Intersect Fund (Rutgers University, NJ), the Elmseed Enterprise Fund (Yale University, CT), and the Capital Good Fund (Brown University, RI)

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Featured Member: Tracie

By on 5/10/11 in Member Story

img_5912By Jonathan Young

“Don’t be afraid. If there’s something you don’t know don’t be afraid to ask questions. You can sit down, lie down, and cry about it but nothing will happen if you don’t push yourself, and the only way to help yourself is to learn how to help yourself- to jump in and learn from others

Tracie first began working with CEF when she was living at Homestart, Chapel Hill’s women’s shelter. Tracie had recently moved from New York City and was unemployed. “When I started over I didn’t have a dime in my pocket!” she said. She wanted to work with CEF because “when I first met them they were coming to the shelter teaching classes. They were really down to earth and supportive.” With the help of member advocates, Tracie was hired for three jobs at once and took them all. “I transferred my money into their account and just saved saved saved…” Within 90 days she had already gotten an apartment for herself, moving out of the shelter in just three and a half months.

She learned and met even more friends while taking CEF’s savings and business classes during which time “We grew closer and closer as friends more like a family. I didn’t have any family or friends here but I didn’t let that spoil my birthday. I bought a cake, people cooked and we had a party at the shelter. I gained new friends and CEF became a new family for me.”

When asked about her advice to members she replied that “My best advice is not to give up. If you don’t have a job count the blessings that you’re in school, if you’re not in school pick up some kind of training skill or take classes… for me I came here from New York with no money and the [CEF] classes are free! Anywhere that says they offer free classes for 12 weeks and you don’t have a job you better jump up and take that class for 12 weeks cause you need to learn you don’t know everything and the more you learn the more you know. You get to take that knowledge with you to your next job”

Currently Tracie has her own 2 bedroom apartment, is working two jobs and just got an interview for a third job in retail, a longtime passion of hers.

 

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Small Business Class Tomorrow!

By on 5/10/11 in General

Wednesday, May 11th 2:30-4:00pm
Monday, May 16th 2:30-4:00pm
Wednesday, May 18th 2:30-4:00pm
Monday, May 23th 2:30-4:00pm
Wednesday, May 25th 2:30-4:00pm
Monday, June 30th 2:30-4:00pm

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CEF Documentary Premier: June 12th

By on 5/10/11 in General

MICRO-FINANCE NARRATIVES IN DURHAM
Sunday, June 12, 3 p.m.
Main Library, 300 N. Roxboro St.
This film, funded in part by the NC Humanities Council explores a micro-finance initiative for the homeless operated by the Community Empowerment Fund, a student-run organization based at UNC-Chapel Hill. The film follows students and clients from Chapel Hill, Hillsborough and Durham as they work together to build businesses, find housing and employment, and pursue educational opportunities. A panel discussion will follow the film.

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Work with CEF This Summer!

By on 4/14/11 in General

We Need Advocates this Summer!

CEF Advocates work side by side with individuals struggling with underemployment and unemployment, saving for affordable housing, striving to start their own business, and sustainably working their way out of poverty.

As a CEF Member Advocate:

You’ll have the opportunity to work closely alongside one of our Members (homeless, unemployed, or underemployed individuals), helping to provide financial support and access to resources, as well as to build a supportive environment.

No experience necessary- we will provide training to all new volunteers!

Ready to get involved?
Information sessions will be held at 1pm on may 14th.
Contact info@thecommunityempowermentfund.org with any questions!

Member Advocates will:

  • Believe In Possibilities
  • Budgeting
  • Resume Building
  • Job Search Assistance
  • Find Ways to Increase Income and Decrease Expenses
  • Housing Search Assistance
  • Connections to Community and Government Resources
  • Small Business Plan Preparation
  • Personal Coach for Economic Independence
  • Bond with Each Other! And Strengthen Relationships
  • Stand Up for All People
  • Explore Pathways to Higher Education
  • Fight for Financial Freedom
  • Create Positive Community
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Featured Member: Equashia

By on 3/21/11 in General, Member Story


One of CEF’s most well-known and vibrant members, Equashia joined the CEF family through her participation in Talking Sidewalks starting in October 2009. In 2010, Equashia graduated from the first small business training in February as well as the pilot savings circle in September.

Equashia has been a staunch advocate for CEF’s programs since the beginning, leading the effort for outreach before the first small business training, motivating and educating new volunteers during Member Advocate Training, traveling to help out at CEF speaking engagements, and telling anyone who listen about what CEF can do for them.

After her graduation from the business program, Equashia started her own business of making and selling “tar heel” scarves. She found a niche in the market with the large group of Muslim women on UNC’s campus, and was able to sell all of her merchandise in a short span of time.

In addition, Equashia has been one of our biggest savers, reaching her goal of $1,000 earlier this year! She didn’t stop there, though. Equashia has continued to save with CEF, and is currently working on a new goal. Now living in an apartment, Equashia finds time to spend time with CEF and maintain her close community ties with other organizations and communities in the area. If you haven’t met her yet, Equashia is a great friend and role model to have.

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Donate & Double Your Dollars

By on 3/6/11 in General

From now until June 1st

Every Dollar You Give To CEF Will Be Doubled!

Matched up to $5,000 by the Stewards Fund.



Donations to CEF go toward:

  • Matching Savings for CEF Savers with micro-development accounts
  • Micro-Loans for Small Business Training graduates

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CEF: Community Empowerment Fund
Chapel Hill: 919-200-0233 Durham: 919-797-9233

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