2023 was a year of change. Our country was trying to move on from, and even forget, COVID, while many in our community were and are still dealing with its impacts. Our members were their creative, resourceful, and whole selves while navigating an ever-changing world.
We, as an organization, tried to help with that navigation by using American Rescue Plan funds, granted to us by the City of Durham and the Oak Foundation, to help Members clear some of the housing debt that they acquired due to COVID.
This money helped our Members stay in their homes or clear debt to move somewhere more affordable and also highlighted the need for longer-term stability. We also hired an advocacy manager to design a plan of where our advocacy should and could go, including the start of tenant unions.
This will put power back in the hands of the people most affected by the issues of housing and financial instability. We also worked towards closing the racial wealth gap through our First Time Homebuyers program, in which our Members’ savings were matched by Metlife for Durham and Town of Chapel Hill for Chapel Hill and put towards a first home.
We believe in a pathway from being unhoused to homeownership and want to support that through providing information, gathering documents, and providing funds for down payments. We are looking forward to supporting our CEF community in 2024.
CEF Executive Director Donna Carrington commented on the petition regarding the Enforcement of Quality-of-Life Laws in the Community during the Town of Chapel Hill Town Council meeting on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. In reflection, she shared, “It was crucial for me to speak because I understand the implications such petitions have on our community. Our unhoused individuals are often arrested for ‘quality of life violations,’ and it feels like our community is a place wanting to get rid of people instead of being solution-minded.”
Donna expressed concern over the increasing criminalization of homelessness. “I think it’s essential to address this issue openly,” she noted, acknowledging that her discomfort with public speaking only underscores the importance of the topic. “When I speak, I hope people understand the significance of what we’re facing. I knew that if I spoke, people would recognize its importance because I don’t like public speaking, and for me to do it, it has to be an important issue.”
Meet Chloe Wells, Advocate Program Coordinator (CH)
Chloe Wells, Advocate Program Coordinator (CH)
Your Role: In your own words, how would you describe the work you do at the CEF and why is it important?
At CEF, I hold the role of the ‘Advocate Program Coordinator’ (APC). This title generously encapsulates my responsibilities of coordinating, supervising, and providing support to our volunteer Advocates in their impactful endeavors.
Your Background: What experiences, strengths, and skills do you bring to this work at CEF?
I bring a wealth of experiences to my role, ranging from my time as a ‘front office lady’ at a high school to my roles as a Teacher’s Assistant, Peer DEI Educator, Resident Advisor, and Co-Editor in Chief of an undergraduate literary magazine. I have acquired valuable skills and strengths through these diverse experiences, shaping my unique perspective and approach.
Connecting to CEF: What led you to working with CEF generally, and also to this particular role?
As a member of the undergraduate class of 2020, the Pandemic tossed aside my plans, along with those of many peers, for post-graduate-real-adult life. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, and I strive to embrace the notion that I am where I am meant to be at any given moment. Upon deciding to leave my previous role and relocate to the area with my partner, currently enrolled as a Graduate Student at UNC Chapel Hill, I was determined to find a path that allowed me to make a tangible impact on my community. Drawing from my academic passions as a student, I sought to apply them in a real-world setting. My aspiration was to join an organization that fostered creativity, embraced my love for learning, and promoted genuine relationship building, community engagement, and anti-racism at every level. I believe I have found the perfect fit!
Energy: When you think about your work in this role at CEF (and/or in general at CEF) where do you find energy and renewal?
When I reflect on my work in this role at CEF, I draw energy and renewal from our person-centered approach. Our primary focus is on the individual, regardless of who they are or what they bring to the table. This person-centered ethos resonates deeply with me, especially in my interactions with Members and Advocates. I derive immense joy from connecting with our Advocate community, where we have a supportive space to lean on, learn from, and celebrate each other’s successes. Together, we navigate challenging days, uplift each other through laughter and continuous curiosity, and collaboratively devise solutions. Being part of a community where we can openly address our needs, capacity, and well-being fills me with pride, energy, and profound gratitude.
Challenge: When you think about your work in this role at CEF (and/or in general at CEF) where do you find challenges and how do you seek to find the best way forward?
In all honesty, navigating anti-racist, justice-focused community work within the confines of oppressive systems like white supremacy culture presents a myriad of challenges. It’s hardly surprising, considering the extensive lists of obstacles we encounter daily within our CEF community. Thus, I find that the most daunting aspect of my role at times is simply ensuring that everyone feels empowered to engage with the supportive community that CEF has fostered. This involves ensuring that individuals feel capable of supporting others whose experiences may differ from their own, feeling supported enough to actively participate both mentally and physically, and ensuring that each Advocate feels valued and acknowledged. It’s about ensuring that they are equipped to advocate for themselves as well. To all Advocates reading this, know that you are deeply appreciated!
Etc: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Outside of my role as APC, I thoroughly enjoy spending quality time with my partner, whether it’s at home or exploring new places. I’m currently immersed in creating Spotify playlists, particularly delving into the new-wave funk and disco movements. Exploring culinary delights at new restaurants, discovering hiking trails both nearby and across the state, and preparing meals for my loved ones are some of my cherished activities. I find solace in browsing through local bookstores, especially in search of the latest horror releases and cryptic creature-features. I strongly advocate for the importance of outdoor play and seize any opportunity to indulge myself. Although I appreciate thoughtful cuisine, if I had to pick a favorite food, it would undoubtedly be french fries. Or perhaps ice cream. When I’m up for it, I love attending drag shows, hitting the dance floor with friends, and engaging in spirited competition at local trivia nights!
Sophia Thayer, Member Services Coordinator (Durham)
Your Role: In your own words, how would you describe the work you do at the CEF and why is it important?
As the Member Services Coordinator for the Durham office, I work alongside Members and external community partners and service providers, as well as Advocates and staff, to research, develop, and implement relevant resources for Members. Most of the resources center on access to housing, and other crucial elements folks need to thrive. I also help lead New Member Orientation and our food pantry.
Your Background: What experiences, strengths, and skills do you bring to this work at CEF?
My background is in case management, resource navigation, youth development, and food justice. Beyond this background, I try to be as authentic as possible and meet people where they’re coming from. I strive to always be learning and challenge myself to consistently check how my biases affect my perception of experiences and events. Overall, I believe I am an approachable and personable individual hoping to form long term relationships.
Connecting to CEF: What led you to working with CEF generally, and also to this particular role?
CEF’s commitment to justice and equity is what initially drew me to the organization. CEF’s belief that everyone is creative, resourceful, and whole resonates with me and is the basis of the Member-driven work we all do together. In my role as MSC, I attempt to provide a starting point for Members and Advocates to connect. Witnessing and taking part in human connection is a joy that CEF provides and values.
Energy: When you think about your work in this role at CEF (and/or in general at CEF) where do you find energy and renewal?
At CEF, I find energy in relationships – deep conversations about experiences and stressors, celebrations when someone reaches their goal, and connections over a shared favorite. Outside of CEF, I find energy in very similar ways by spending time with loved ones.
Challenge: When you think about your work in this role at CEF (and/or in general at CEF) where do you find challenges and how do you seek to find the best way forward?
CEF and our Members, Advocates, and staff still live and function within systems that are set up for some people to fail and some to thrive. Systemic racism and capitalism are massive opponents. Sometimes, no matter how much work we put in, we cannot solve a problem. I think the way we move forward is first recognizing that the CEF model of long-term community is radical in itself. Secondly, we can utilize this community power to break down systemic barriers as best we can.
In partnership with consultants Jaclyn Gilstrap and Hope Tyson from A Visual Approach, CEF’s strategic plan is presented using an adaptation of an “Objectives and Key Results (OKR) Framework.”
At the highest level of the strategic plan, the Big Goal and Key Contribution articulates CEF’s vision of community and its mission. These components are the guiding light of the strategic plan and connect the various areas of CEF’s work to the organization’s mission and its greater purpose in the community. In addition to the Big Goal (CEF’s Vision Statement), the survey data showed that Staff, Members, Volunteers, Board, and Community Leaders across the board saw an essential part of CEF’s efforts to be centered around Building Joyful Community. It was mentioned so often that it has risen to the level of the Big Goal. It is a complement to and expansion of the Big Goal, a doubling down and a re-commitment to this essential component of the organization’s character and culture.
Big Goal:Ending the Racial Wealth Gap, Empowering Community
Key Contribution (CEF’s Mission):Cultivate opportunities, assets, and communities that support the alleviation of homelessness and poverty
In order to achieve the Key Contribution, CEF believes that it must work towards all of the Objectives outlined in the strategic plan. The Objectives are significant and concrete, and there is a word attached to each that explains not only what the goal is but how it should be achieved (responsive, strong, adaptable, impactful, growth). As a whole, the Objectives make up the key areas of CEF’s work. The relationship between them is illustrated by the visual framework (FIG 1).
As we move forward in the direction of 2025, our organization is sure to experience many shifts and changes. This document is meant to help us navigate those changes, assisting us during times when decision-making feels hard and priorities are overwhelming. We thank each and every voice that contributed to this collective vision for CEF.
Sydney Pender, Durham Office & Community Organizer
Your Role: In your own words, how would you describe the work you do at CEF and why is it important?
As Office & Community Organizer in Durham, my role is largely providing stability to the office to ensure everything runs smoothly on a day-to-day basis. Another large responsibility is the community advocacy portion, which provides CEF Members with opportunities to lead initiatives surrounding the issues most important to them such as affordable housing, fair consideration for employment, and building multigenerational wealth.
Your Background: What experiences, strengths, and skills do you bring to work at CEF?
I am a young, Black woman trying to make it in this world and I have a testimony in some ways very similar to the Members we serve at CEF. Being in my position, serving folks that look like me and have some of my same struggles, is a very humbling experience that brings both joy and sorrow. There is power in representation and relatability, that strengthens my ability to reach more than a person’s individual mind, but more importantly their hearts. The work I strive to do is done very personally and with great intention.
Connecting to CEF: What led you to work with CEF generally, and also in this particular role?
More generally, I began volunteering with CEF in search of a community. I moved to Chapel Hill mid-pandemic at the beginning of adulthood as a college student and knew absolutely nobody. I wanted to be in community with other changemakers like myself and CEF allowed me to build a home away from home. In the last two years, I have held the positions of Advocate, full-time summer intern, part-time staff support, and now full-time office & community organizer. The various positions I have held at CEF give me the ability to view our functions and operations from many viewpoints, and deepen my understanding of who we are and what we do.
Energy: Where do you find energy and renewal?
I find energy and renewal by having meaningful conversations with other people about the work I do. I like to talk to people and have heart-to-heart conversations about larger systematic issues that show up every day in the world around us. I find joy in “stirring the pot” and talking about the things that matter but are sometimes considered taboo. I would probably describe my personality as an armchair philosopher.
Challenge: What are the biggest challenges in your work and how do you seek to find the best way forward?
One of the biggest challenges I face in the work I do is seeing the influx of people in need and the lack of resources in the community to support them. There is an overwhelming amount of folks that are not having their basic needs met. It is not easy to ignore or justify because it exists right in front of us, every day. My commitment to the work I do is to at least make a dent in the pool of injustice and continue to advocate for change that will impact those who need it most. Housing is a human right.
Anything Else You Would Like To Add:
Never give up on yourself and pay close attention to the world around you. People may have their doubts and opinions, but the truth can not be silenced… YOU MATTER!
Your Role: In your own words, how would you describe the work you do at CEF and why is it important?
As full time Staff Support at CEF, I work with Members, Advocates, and other CEF staff to respond to Member’s needs in real time. During Member meetings, I am in the office and available to answer any questions or provide additional support that may be needed. Being a flexible member of staff who works in both the Durham and Chapel Hill offices is important in order to ensure that Members and Advocates are getting the support they need in order to achieve the goals that Members have identified for themselves.
Your Background: What experiences, strengths, and skills do you bring to work at CEF?
I have been a part of and worked in the substance use and recovery community for over five years. My background working with individuals experiencing situations that are complex and mutli-faceted has given me skills that allow me to engage with CEF in similar ways. My passion for this work stems from my personal life experiences as well as my background working with communities who are systematically denied access to knowledge and resources that can help them achieve their goals.
Connecting to CEF: What led you to work with CEF generally, and also in this particular role?
I have a passion for people. One of my greatest joys in life is connecting with others. I believe that, at the core of each of us, we are seeking connection with ourselves, others, and the world around us. CEF is a place where folks can find connection in many different ways. What I love seeing is so many individuals from different backgrounds, each with their own unique lived experiences, finding ways to connect and support each other. While a lot of the work CEF does is challenging and can be heavy to carry, witnessing true human connection on a consistent basis is, I think, what makes CEF so successful in their work.
Energy: Where do you find energy and renewal?
Within CEF, I find energy and renewal by witnessing the connections that are made between Members, Advocates, and staff. CEF’s work is based on relationships and seeing those relationships develop and grow brings me a lot of joy. Witnessing injustice and oppression in such an intimate way on a daily basis can be trying, but knowing that folks who engage with CEF have a place where they can feel heard and their experiences are validated helps to renew my passion for this work.
Challenge: What are the biggest challenges in your work and how do you seek to find the best way forward?
I think one of the biggest challenges for me at CEF is witnessing the injustice and oppression that Members are experiencing. At CEF, we trust that Members are fully capable of making their own decisions about what is best for themselves and their own lives. When thinking about the situations that Members face, I believe that the best way forward is to listen to Members, hear what their needs are, and work alongside them to find solutions that feel like the right way for them.
Anything Else You Would Like To Add:
I am very grateful for the opportunity to work at CEF and to be a part of an organization that is intentional about the services they provide and the relationships they build in the community. I am looking forward to my journey with CEF and seeing how my skills and my personal experiences can inform that.
Jessica Cannady, Member Services & Programs Manager
Your Role: In your own words, how would you describe the work you do at CEF and why is it important?
I am the Members 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. Overall, I support and work collaboratively with staff, Advocates, and Members to promote learning and growth.
Your Background: What experiences, strengths, and skills do you bring to work at CEF?
Prior to joining CEF, I was a coordinator and advocate with a domestic violence agency. In that role, I worked in crisis and self-sufficiency services, outreach and to increase awareness and advocacy for healthy relationships. I also focused on developing and promoting culturally affirming best practices when working with Black and Brown survivors of domestic violence. In addition to advocacy and crisis services experience, I also have experience in community-based participatory research specifically focusing on access to healthy food, affordable housing, mental health care, and quality education. One of my strengths is my ability to build and maintain relationships and work collaboratively with diverse community stakeholders. I am interested in co-creating thriving communities so that we aren’t just surviving or putting a bandaid on the issues we face.
Connecting to CEF: 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 focus were 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.
Energy: Where do you find energy and renewal?
I find energy in knowing that we are working together to build and maintain thriving communities. I also find energy and renewal by growing and maintaining authentic and genuine relationships with community members.
Challenge: What are the biggest challenges in your work and how do you seek to find the best way forward?
One major challenge that we face as a community is all of the isms. Racism, sexism, ableism, ageism, colorism, classism, and other forms of discrimination are still very much alive and well. We can’t ignore discrimination and oppression and the sinister ways that it shows up in everyday life. The legacy of white supremacy in nonprofit organizations is also a challenge that we actively work to dissolve. Another challenge is the rising costs of living and the impact on folks’ everyday lives and experiences.
The best way forward is to acknowledge these challenges and how they show up in systems and our lives. Once we acknowledge these challenges we must also work to take action each and every day.
Anything Else You Would Like To Add:
I’m really excited and grateful to be a part of the CEF team. I look forward to our collaboration and radical work.
Emily Simpson-Keyes, Member Assistance Funds Manager
Your Role: In your own words, how would you describe the work you do at the CEF and why is it important?
While providing direct financial assistance is not CEF’s primary mission, we do have a pool of resources dedicated to supporting Members as they work towards their goals. This pool is growing to include a homebuyers savings program and eviction debt assistance fund. As the Member Assistance Funds Manager, I will be responsible for developing an equitable and transparent process for distributing these funds as well as working with Members and Advocates to ensure that they know these resources are available.
Your Background: What experiences, strengths and skills do you bring to this work at CEF?
As a social worker, I have been trained to approach my work through a lens of systems thinking, and I feel I naturally bring a level of empathy and vulnerability to this role. However, I am most grateful for my previous experience as an Advocate. The role required me to “take off my professional hat,” decenter myself, and learn from the wisdom and experience of Members. I plan to approach my Staff role in much the same way. I’m excited to continue building on the relationships that I established as an Advocate!
Connecting to CEF: What led you to working with CEF generally, and also to this particular role?
I’ve spent the past several years working in social impact consulting and nonprofit operations. While I enjoyed the complex problem solving that came with those roles, I found myself questioning my complicity in philanthrocapitalism and craving community. This is what first led me to begin volunteering as an Advocate in the fall of 2020. It was the height of the pandemic, and though I was grateful for the security of a remote job, I was disconnected from my neighbors and feeling too comfortable. When so much of the world is broken, community care built on authentic person-centered relationships in the way CEF strives for is radical. I’ve wanted to join the CEF team for quite some time and the Member Assistance Funds Manager role, which requires both my operational and interpersonal skill sets, was worth the wait.
Energy: When you think about your work in this role at CEF (and/or in general at CEF) where do you find energy and renewal?
I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to use my one wild and precious life to repair harm and further social justice so I find a great deal of purpose and energy in the work itself. It’s a privilege to be trusted by Members and to share in the moments of pain, frustration, hope, and joy experienced in the office. I also rely on the support of my loving partner, trusted therapist, and snuggly dog.
Challenge: When you think about your work in this role at CEF (and/or in general at CEF) where do you find challenges and how do you seek to find the best way forward?
While financial literacy and asset-building tools are most certainly impactful and necessary for changing individual circumstances, the racial wealth gap is a systemic issue, rather than an individual one. These tools are a part of a broader economic system designed to systematically disenfranchise people of the global majority. This reality can be overwhelming but I think it’s one we must acknowledge in this work. I remind myself that there are opportunities to share power and disrupt oppressive systems at every level, so how we are engaging with Members and moving as an organization is just as important as the number of goals achieved or financial coaching sessions completed.
Meet Ishaan! Member Resource Specialist in Chapel Hill
Ishaan Kumar, Member Resource Specialist CEF’s Chapel Hill Office
Your Role: In your own words, how would you describe the work you do at CEF and why is it important?
I am the Member Resource Specialist for the Chapel Hill Office. 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-term project is focused on a Homebuyers Program, where we are trying to work with other local housing organizations to expand access to home ownership!
Your Background: What experiences, strengths, and skills do you bring to this work at CEF?
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.
Connecting to CEF: What led you to working with CEF generally, and also to this particular role?
In particular, CEF’s model of Member-centered advocacy really spoke to me. In some other spaces, it was unclear to me if what we were doing was really in the interest of the people we were working for. I believe wholeheartedly in the power and necessity of social work to reflect the needs of Members and for everyone to be engaged in collaborative decision-making.
Energy: When you think about your work in this role at CEF (and/or in general at CEF) where do you find energy and renewal?
Primarily, I find energy in people; my partner, my family, and my roommate are all places to go to recharge. When I’m alone, I often find myself tinkering in the kitchen, trying to remake childhood memories into new creations.
Challenge: When you think about your work in this role at CEF (and/or in general at CEF) where do you find challenges and how do you seek to find the best way forward?
Many challenges are unknown right now, as this is a new position to CEF! In addition, being a recent college grad means that I’m looking forward to challenges I can’t even begin to imagine. I hope to approach all these future challenges with an empathetic and critical eye. I hope to approach these problems through creative collaborations and new solutions. Everyone has creativity and capacity – I hope to tap into our collective power!
