Archive | Events

The CEF Freedom Liberation Ensemble

By on 8/7/24 in CEF Advocacy, CEF Advocacy Choir, Events, General, Highlight, Housing

Join us August 27th! Everyone’s different voices are uniting for one cause: freedom and liberation. The CEF Freedom Liberation Ensemble is coming back stronger than ever, ready to advocate for fixed-income, low-income, and no-income populations.

By bringing the community together to sing justice-oriented versions of popular songs, we will be demanding that people in power hear the voice of the community.

This first rehearsal, open to all, includes CEF’s iconic version of “I Smile” arranged by founder Yvette Matthews.

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Juneteenth Celebrations

By on 6/15/22 in Events

Durham and Orange Counties

CEF is excited about all of the #Juneteenth celebrations coming up! Juneteenth is a celebration of African American Emancipation and a time to pay homage to those that have forged the path towards freedom. As an organization that recognizes the detrimental impacts of systemic racism on Black and Brown members of our communities this is an important holiday for us to reflect on our victories. If you would like to spend time with CEF community in celebration of Juneteenth, we will be attending the Art of Freedom – Juneteenth Exhibit – Third Friday Opening Reception at 6:00 PM June 17th. We will gather at the CEF Durham Office at 4:30 to eat and carpool, leaving at 5:30 for Golden Belt Campus (800 Taylor St). Check out what’s going on:

Durham County:

June 14-16 Juneteenth Celebration at Durty Bull brought to you by Twiwan Joyner. This three-day event will feature live musical performances from Durham’s finest artists, theatrical screenings, meet and greets, dance parties and more! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-celebration-tickets-363720887967

June 15 6:30-7:30 pm Juneteenth at Carolina Theatre – Exceptional Measures. Supported by Durham County Library and the Durham Library Foundation. Featuring: Grammy nominated artist Rissi Palmer, nationally competing spoken word artist Dasan Ahanu, and the acclaimed African American Dance Ensemble! Free, but registration is required https://durhamcountylibrary.libcal.com/event/9042082

June 17 6:00 pm Join the CEF Durham community in celebration of Juneteenth, we will be attending the Art of Freedom – Juneteenth Exhibit – Third Friday Opening Reception at 6:00 PM June 17th. We will gather at the CEF Durham Office at 4:30 to eat and carpool, leaving at 5:30 for Golden Belt. https://www.facebook.com/events/384797563675785

June 17 6:30 pm – 12:00 am – Juneteenth Jubilee at The Fruit in Durham: Afrofuturism – Digital Art Show, Panel Discussion, Lo-Fi, and Celebration. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-jubilee-afrofuturism-art-show-discussion-celebration-tickets-273252384237

June 18 & 19 1:00 pm – 10:00 pm – 17th Annual North Carolina Juneteenth Celebration at the Golden Belt Campus. This fun-filled, educational and uplifting event kicks off with the official Opening Ceremony that includes a processional with dancers, drummers, and the community, is followed by a presentation by the United States Colored Troops, prayer, proclamations, pouring of the libation, and presentations on the origin and significance of Juneteenth. Ends with a BBQ Cook-off Sunday 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm https://spectacularmag.com/events/ncjuneteenth/

June 18 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Father’s Day x Juneteenth Playdate at Motorco. $10 individuals, $20 family(up to 4). Join two of North Carolina’s most creative Dads for an all-ages Juneteenth x Father’s Day Play Date featuring Grammy-nominee and father of two Pierce Freelon and Puppet Master and father of six Tarish “Jeghetto” Pipkins (Missy Elliot, Pharrell). https://motorcomusic.com/event/juneteenth-play-date/

Orange County:

June 18 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Sacrifices- a Juneteenth Presentation with Spirit Freedom at Hillsborough Presbyterian Church. Free and open to the public, attendees will explore the trauma, struggle, and triumph and achievements of African Americans through performances, storytelling, and discussions of little known Hillsborough figures. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sacrifices-and-celebration-a-juneteenth-presentation-with-spirit-freedom-tickets-350604446337

June 19 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Ackland F.A.M.: Juneteenth Celebration at Ackland Art Museum – Celebrate Juneteenth with several activities available in person on the final day of our current exhibition Modern Black Culture: The Art of Aaron Douglas. https://events.ackland.org/event/ackland-f-a-m-juneteenth-celebration/

June 19 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Celebrate Black Community & Culture at Hargraves Community Center – A coalition of local organizations invites you to be a part of Chapel Hill-Carrboro Juneteenth Celebration! Celebrate Black community and culture with live performances, Black-owned small business and non-profit expos, kids activities, food trucks, and more. @CHCNAACP @mcjcenter @chapelhillgov @carrborotowngov @ChapelHillCarrboroCitySchools https://www.chapelhillarts.org/calendar/juneteenth-celebration/

We hope you have a happy holiday wherever you are!

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House Us Now!

By on 8/16/21 in CEF Advocacy, Chapel Hill, Events, Highlight
House Us Now! March for Affordable Housing at or below 30% AMI Rally in Chapel Hill Saturday, August 28 from 1pm to 5pm Meet at Peace & Justice Plaza, 179 E Franklin St. March to the Jackson Center, 512 W Rosemary St. For transportation info call CEF at 919-200-0233

Join us Saturday, August 28, to march for affordable housing for our community members who are at or below 30% AMI. There will be opportunities for folks with lived experience to speak out at the Peace & Justice Plaza. LOVE Chapel Hill will be providing transportation to the rally. Call the CEF Chapel Hill office at 919-200-0233 for more info on transportation. Live music at the Jackson Center will be provided by Chapel Hill’s Finest as well as food from Gametime Hot Dogs!

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2019 Annual Report: We Grow Together

By on 6/16/20 in About, Advocate Story, Annual Report Story, Annual Reports, CEF Advocacy, Chapel Hill, Durham, Employment, Events, General, Housing, LOC, Member Advocate Story, Member Story, Partner Story, Program Story, Research + Publications, Savings, Story
Cover for 2019 Annual report: collage representing community with the words hope, community, courage, and togetherness around the outside. Heart with houses, green space, and a gazebo in the middle

As CEF has grown and blossomed over the years, we have been reminded, time and again, of the importance of being nimble and adaptive as we grow. As you will see in this report, 2019 was no different. In the enclosed stories you will learn more about CEF’s deepening advocacy work; read about the programs we’ve built and strengthened; hear directly from Members, Advocates, and Staff about their connection to CEF; and see our quantitative impact.

Download Here
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Piggy Bank Bash – 2019 Celebration

By on 8/22/19 in Events, Highlight

100% of tickets sales and donations made until Nov 8th will be matched 1:1

thanks to an anonymous CEF supporter!

Get Your Tickets Here!

When: Monday, Nov 4th, 5:30-8pm

Where: GRUB Durham, 1200 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701

Ticket Price: $40 (100% donated to CEF)

10 Reasons to Celebrate at the Piggy Bank Bash this Year:

1. 🥳Celebrate CEF’s 10-years of transformative work in our community!
2. 🍽️Enjoy a delicious GRUB Dinner (with vegan options) & 1 drink!
3. 🏡Learn more about CEF’s innovate work in housing and economic justice!
4. 🎵Listen to songs by the CEF Advocacy Choir!
5. 👂Hear from Gene Nichol, founding CEF Board Member, local hero, UNC law professor, and author of “The Faces of Poverty in North Carolina.”
6. 💸All ticket sales and donations will be MATCHED to $10,000!
7. 🎊Hang out with the CEF Community (the Bash sold out last year!)
8. 🎭See a sneak-peek performance from the Affordable Housing Musical!
9. 🎁Win raffle prizes — a $100 gift card, a signed copy of Gene’s book & more!
10. 💯100% of ticket proceeds go to CEF!

Are you a present or past CEF Member or Advocate? Use the coupon code “CEFMEMBER” or “CEFADVOCATE” to gain access to a reduced-priced ticket of $15! CEF Members can also request a sponsored ticket ($0) by using the purple button below!

Join us on Monday, November 4th to support the innovative work of the Community Empowerment Fund through a fundraiser hosted by GRUB Durham. This will be a night of education, food, drink, and camaraderie. There will be ample opportunities to learn about CEF’s work and mission at the event while meeting CEF Members, Advocates, supporters, neighbors, and more.

100% of the ticket proceeds benefit CEF. Purchase tickets here. The GRUB Durham team looks forward to celebrating and supporting CEF’s continuing work with you!

Request a Sponsored Ticket!
Volunteer at the Bash!

Can’t make it to the party?

Sponsor a ticket for a CEF Member! 

$

2019 Piggy Bank Bash Sponsors

grubdurham.com/           |       susanhertz.bhhscarolinas.com        |        alfredwilliams.com

 

                 

centerforintentionalleadership.com   |     candlescience.com           |      roblammepolicy.com


1 Anonymous Donor

Interested in Sponsoring the 2019 Bash? Email Keely at keelyk@communityef.org

About CEF:

CEF supports over 1,000 Members in Durham and Orange Counties experiencing homelessness or financial insecurity to gain jobs, secure housing, and build savings. Founded in 2009, CEF coordinates hundreds of trained volunteer Advocates, primarily from area universities, to work alongside CEF Members towards achieving their personal goals.

Event Location

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Financial Independence Day: Photo Gallery

By on 7/2/19 in Events, Highlight

We had an incredible time celebrating our community at Financial Independence Day on Saturday! We ate dinner together, listened to live music (and participated in some impromptu karaoke!), and reflected upon what financial independence means to ourselves and our community. Very special thanks to Love Chapel Hill, for their collaboration in planning and hosting the cookout; to the Hargraves Community Center, for generously allowing us to use their picnic area space for the celebration; to Rachel Despard, for sharing her musical talents by providing live music during the event; and to Buns Chapel Hill, for donating 200 delicious hot dogs that we thoroughly enjoyed! We’re looking forward to doing it again next year!

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Financial Independence Day 2019

By on 6/10/19 in Events, Highlight
RSVP Here

Celebrate Community and Financial Independence with CEF!

You are invited to CEF’s annual Financial Independence Day, Saturday, June 29th from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the Hargraves Community Center (216 N. Roberson Street in Chapel Hill)! Join us for a community cookout with fun activities to acknowledge and celebrate the fight for freedom from financial burden. We’d love for you to come and be a part of the:

  • Community Cookout, including hot-dogs, veggie dogs, coleslaw, chili, watermelon, and delicious desserts! 
  • Raffle with Prizes 
  • Kid-friendly crafts, corn hole, frisbee, and other games
  • A showcase of talent! Poetry, singing, dancing, and anything else
  • Expressing what financial independence means to you!

Please RSVP here: https://forms.gle/ij2qvaL8AG8SUmXK8 

P.S. Do you need a ride to the celebration? We got you! Let us know on the RSVP form.

Photographs from Last Year’s Party!

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Photos from 2019 Northside Festival and CEF Spring Graduation Party!

By on 5/14/19 in Events, Highlight

What a gift celebrate community together with The Marian Cheek Jackson Center for Saving and Making History at the 2019 Northside Festival: Reunite! Both organizations are celebrating 10 years in community and gathered at the festival to dance, eat, and celebrate each-other on this beautiful day! So much thanks goes out to the Jackson Center and all the amazing community members that came together to perform and share their gifts with everyone!

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CEF Summit 2019 Reflections

By on 4/5/19 in Advocate Story, CEF Advocacy, Chapel Hill, Durham, Events, General, Program Story, Written By Members

Written by Joyce Yao and Connie Longmate

“Stay in school, stay in the Movement.”
— Reverend Liz Theoharis of the Poor People’s Campaign,

On the first weekend in March, CEF Advocates from UNC and Duke put aside their rivalries, to come together and co-host the 2nd annual Summit on Homelessness and Poverty! The three-day summit brought together over 100 students from  25 schools from across the country to share experiences, workshop ideas, and learn from longtime local community organizers. Their collective goal was to continue to grow a national coalition of student organizations dedicated to dismantling systems that perpetuate hunger, homelessness, and poverty.


“The cost of poverty, broadly, is so much higher than the cost of paying people fairly.”
—Jill Johnson, Mayor Pro Tem

Last year, students at Brown University held the inaugural Summit on Homelessness and Poverty that brought together a coalition of student organizations from across the country dedicated to dismantling systems that perpetuate homelessness and poverty. In the 8 months of planning, the summit vision truly came together when Megan Miller and Olivia Simpson proposed that the theme of the Summit be “Abundance,” with the idea that the communities we work within have an abundance of love, resilience, and (as CEF likes to say) people who are “creative resourceful and whole”— and therefore our work should be about uplifting and celebrating that abundance. Hosting this summit meant that we got to help to create a unique space for students to reflect on and share about the abundance in their own communities.

“Joy can be an act of revolution!”
—George Barrett, The Marian Cheek Jackson Center

The weekend was a tremendous labor of love. A true test of the commitment to the work we do, as well as of our ability to open ourselves up to new forms of the pursuit of social justice, which is important perspective when you find yourself debating seemingly trivial things like the number of coffee cups to order and the most fitting genre of music for the welcome reception. We succeeded in bringing together students from different regions of the country involved in all kinds of anti-poverty and homelessness work, effectively connecting one another to a network of students engaged in demanding work that requires the solidarity and accountability that community offers. I’m especially proud of the fundraising we chased extra hard with the goal of lowering financial barriers for folks to participate.

“If you don’t know you don’t know, but once you know, I’m going to hold you accountable.”
— Andrea Hudson, Community Bail Fund

We created sessions around Race Policing and Poverty, Vulnerable Populations, Public Health, Urban Renewal & Displacement (watch the video below), Social Service Gaps and How We Fill Them, Advocating for Policy Change to facilitate a space where students could share, learn, and grow from peers. Hosting the summit also gave us the opportunity to spotlight longtime community organizations and organizers who shared their brilliant wisdom and experiences of organizing in the South.

We are so grateful for our community partners and all of the students who are working alongside their communities to fight for justice through the celebration abundance. It was an honor to host the 2nd annual summit and we’re excited to continue to build the Student Coalition Against Homelessness & Poverty.

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

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