Providing the skills and resources to transition into self-sufficiency and permanent housing

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

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 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.

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

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.

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.

Hosted By www.homelessnearandfar.org