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.
Archive | General
CEF Opportunity Class Starts May 14th!
Providing the skills and resources to transition into self-sufficiency and permanent housing
Work with CEF This Summer!
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
Featured Member: Equashia
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.
Donate & Double Your Dollars
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
Box-Out Rasing Support for CEF
Box-Out is a yearly event where students come together to raise money and awareness for issues surrounding homelessness in Chapel Hill. Students raise at least $30 to to sleep overnight in a cardboard box in the pit, all while learning about local poverty and enjoying music and food. Box-Out will take place on April 1st.
Register for the Event Here
New CEF Small Business Class Feb 19th
Free CEF Small Business Training Course
First Session: Saturday, Feb. 19
2:00-4:00pm
223 East Cameron Ave.
New East Building, Room 102
Full Details on the Flier: HERE
CEF on the Radio
So we’re a bit behind the times on this one, but WCHL Radio did a Profile on CEF back in February! It’s amazing to see how much our program has changed in the last 6 months, transitioning from a focus on micro-loans to our emphasis on asset building and small-business trainings.
CEF's First Safe Savings Program Starts!
We are now seven weeks in to the first ever CEF Safe Savings Program and are thrilled by the results.
We are working with a group of incredibly talented women to build their savings accounts up while they strive towards greater assets, stronger careers, and healthy transitions. Participants are saving towards investments such as a new apartment, a car, a computer, and CNA training, and some are just saving to save.
Our first week together was in July, and since then we have met weekly to set goals and work to reach them. Our savings circles curriculum has covered topics including budgeting, resume-building, interview skills, networking, job search, basic banking, responsible checking, and credit reports.
Over the remaining weeks of the training program, we will discuss healthy eating, smart shopping, housing resources, educational pathways, insurance options, and more. This pilot savings circle has been largely defined by the women who have gotten involved and started saving with CEF, and who have invested their knowledge and experience in creating a training program that will benefit future CEF Savers. We could not be more thankful for their participation.
We invite you to save with us! Email or call us to join the next CEF Savings Circle–in Chapel Hill or in Durham.
We also invite anyone from the community to come and participate in one of our weekly Savings Circle meetings to see just what it’s all about. Your presence will support CEF Savers as they continue to work hard to find employment, plan for the future, and create a stronger and more vital community.
Summer 2010 Internship Opportunity in Local Microfinance!
Hear more about it! Come to the Duke Microfinance Leadership Initiative meeting on Wednesday, April 14th at 7:30pm in Room
The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) is a local microfinance initiative based in Chapel Hill, NC that offers small loans, savings opportunities, financial education, and assertive support to individuals experiencing or at-risk of experiencing homelessness. The opportunities for employment, self-employment, and greater housing that CEF advances motivate participants to build personal assets, gain higher income, and engage in a healthy community.
CEF is currently seeking individuals interested in being a part of the program’s pilot launch of a micro-loan program in Durham during the summer of 2010.
For interested students, we are willing to facilitate part-time, unpaid internships, with weekly commitments between 4 and 20 hours.
Student interns will have the opportunity to:
- —Deepen knowledge of public policy, economics, business, sociology, social work, and community development
- —Research the applicability of microfinance to the specific needs of the Durham community
- —Build mentoring relationships with program participants
- —Learn alongside community partners and program participants, on topics ranging from criminal justice to affordable housing to asset inequality
- —Develop skills in nonprofit management
- —Gain first-hand experience in banking, lending, and savings management
- —Extend opportunities to individuals traditionally marginalized from financial services
Internship responsibilities will include:
- —Attending a training session, during which CEF staff will train you sufficiently to equip you with the skills you will need to fulfill the internship responsibilities
- —Facilitating CEF Small Business Trainings in area shelters and low-income housing
- —Working one-on-one with CEF borrowers and savers
- —Building partnerships with community agencies and supportive services
- —Assisting borrowers and savers in budgeting, resume-building, job-searching, goal-setting, and accessing services
- —Consulting with participants in CEF business trainings to provide follow-up support
For more information, with questions, or to apply, join CEF staff at the DMLI meeting on Wed. April 14th at 7:30pm in Room
Contact us! thecef@gmail.com.
