Archive | Highlight

2025 Annual Report: Change You Can See

By on 6/5/26 in About, Advocate Story, Annual Report Story, Annual Reports, CEF Advocacy, Chapel Hill, Durham, Employment, General, Highlight, Housing, LOC, Member Advocate Story, Member Story, Partner Story, Program Story, Research + Publications, Savings, Story

Dear CEF community,

My journey with the Community Empowerment Fund began in 2016 as a student Advocate. During those three and a half years, CEF became a foundational space for me to find community among peers and neighbors dedicated to achieving ambitious goals together.

When I rejoined the organization as a board member in 2023, it felt like coming home to a mission that has always defined my sense of purpose. Serving on the board allows me to see the tangible, life-changing impact of our collective work from a new perspective. I give back because this community remains a vital source of hope, especially during seasons of uncertainty.

For my fellow alumni and long-time supporters, I invite you to join me in sustaining this mission. Whether through a gift, continued advocacy, or simply staying connected, your investment ensures that CEF remains a place where relationships flourish and every Member has the support they need to thrive.

MK Falgout

CEF Board Member

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Preparing for Cold Weather Shelter Season at IFC

By on 10/28/25 in About, Chapel Hill, General, Highlight, Housing, In the News
IFC Cold Weather Shelter

The cooler weather has arrived, and Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC) is working hard to prepare accommodations for additional overnight guests this season.

From Friday, October 31 through March 31, IFC’s Community House and HomeStart will provide cold weather shelter on consecutive nights. We’re beginning one day earlier this year to help guests get settled in before the weekend begins.

  • HomeStart can accommodate 3 additional women
  • Community House can accommodate 17 additional men

How to Access Cold Weather Shelter

Individuals seeking shelter can reserve a spot by calling IFC’s main number: (919) 929-6380

  • Press x3000 for Community House
  • Press x4000 for HomeStart

Starting October 31 at 11am: Staff will begin taking calls and adding names to the list.
Beginning November 1: People can call after 4pm daily to check for open shelter slots.

Arrival and Departure

  • Guests should arrive between 6pm and 8pm nightly
  • Departure is by 8am each morning
  • Guests may keep their cold weather bed by checking in every night. If a night is missed, they’ll need to call again to be added back to the list.
  • Guests must provide their own transportation (Chapel Hill Transit is available).

Meals at IFC Commons

  • Continental breakfast: Begins at 10am (dependent on donations and availability)
  • Lunch: Served daily at 11:15am
  • Dinner: Served Monday–Friday at 5:15pm

Please note: Cold weather guests should eat before arriving at the shelter, as dining and kitchen facilities are not available in the evening.

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Thank You for Powering Our Mission: 2024 Annual Report Release Celebration

By on 4/14/25 in About, Annual Reports, Chapel Hill, Durham, Events, General, Highlight, Newsletters

We’re incredibly grateful for your continued commitment to CEF and our mission to end the racial wealth gap. Each year, we have the privilege of supporting hundreds of Members in reaching their employment, housing, and finance goals. Your dedication fuels our work, which is built on person-centered support, advocacy, and financial services that promote equity.

Join us as we celebrate another year of progress and look forward to a future where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We’re excited to share the highlights from the CEF 2024 Annual Report and reflect on the collective impact we’ve made together.

Confirm Your Attendance
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CEF Durham Summer Internship Application

By on 2/12/25 in About, Advocate Story, CEF Advocacy, Durham, General, Highlight, In the News

The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) is an organization working to combat the racial wealth gap by equipping Members of our community with the tools they may need to achieve financial independence. At the heart of our work is a commitment to supporting Members long-term in their goals.

As an intern in the Durham office, you will be working closely with Members to accomplish their goals through meetings and supporting projects relating to community resources, advocacy efforts, and recruitment of future volunteers and interns!

Our internship program application will be due on March 10th at 11:59pm. It will run from June 2nd to August 7th, with trainings beginning on May 27th.

If you have any questions, please email the Advocate Program Coordinator at shuhudm@communityempowermentfund.org.

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A Celebration of Black Queens in our Community

By on 1/28/25 in About, CEF Advocacy, CEF Advocacy Choir, Chapel Hill, Durham, Events, General, Highlight, Housing, In the News, Newsletters, OC Hub, Savings

Join CEF in honoring six incredible Black women leaders from our communities!
February 8, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N Greensboro St. Parking is available across N. Greensboro St. Registration is encouraged.

This year, the annual Celebration of Black Queens will celebrate the leadership of six remarkable Black women who are CEF Members. Please join us for an evening of recognition, performances, and joy, as we highlight their amazing contributions to our communities.

To ensure the safety and well-being of all attendees, we kindly ask that everyone wear an N95 or KN95 mask (which will be provided for those who need one).

Join Us for the Black Queens Event!

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CEF Freedom Liberation Ensemble: Join the Social Justice Movement Through Song

By on 1/7/25 in About, CEF Advocacy, CEF Advocacy Choir, Chapel Hill, Durham, Events, General, Highlight, Housing, In the News

Everyone’s voices are uniting for one cause: freedom and liberation. The CEF Freedom Liberation Ensemble is returning 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 are demanding that people in power hear the voice of the community.


Register Here to join the CEF Freedom Liberation Ensemble: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScMcoH50onsP6zpGPj03Vxg4f5plWMVy84TbWQj0_9c40WQuA/viewform

Join us for the first rehearsal—open to all:

Durham: January 16th & 23rd at 6PM
Chapel Hill: January 14th & 21st at 5PM
Joint Rehearsal: February 6th at 5PM

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CEF Safe Savings Accounts: New 20% Savings Match

By on 9/23/24 in About, CEF Advocacy, Chapel Hill, Durham, Employment, General, Highlight, Housing, In the News, Savings

The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) is excited to announce that, as part of our organization’s 5-year strategic plan, we now offer 20% matches on savings goals for Members enrolled in our Safe Savings Account Program! CEF’s Safe Savings Account Program helps Members save for personal goals, such as school fees, security deposits, or emergencies.

Poor and working-class individuals who lack access to traditional banks often face exploitation by predatory lenders and unfair banking practices, like payday/pawn shop loans, check cashing services and high-interest credit cards. These alternative banking institutions frequently trap vulnerable community members in a cycle of debt and poverty.

When Members engage with CEF’s Safe Saving Program, they open Individual Development Accounts (IDA), which require no minimum balance, have no fees, and do not impact debt or credit history. No ID or proof of citizenship is necessary to open an account; however, a state-issued ID is required to cash checks. CEF can also write checks directly to vendors if needed.

To receive their 20% match, Members participate in eight 2:1 financial coaching sessions with CEF Advocates. We tailor these coaching classes to Members needs, aiming to boost their confidence in managing finances and ultimately empowering them to achieve financial freedom. Coupling savings goals and financial education with the IDA has proven effective in increasing short-term savings and long-term economic stability for working-class people across the country since the 1990s.

Don’t miss out on this chance to transform your financial future. Sign up today for CEF’s Safe Savings Account Program and start on the path to financial freedom with the support you deserve!

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Voices for Change: Donna Carrington Highlights the Impact of Quality-of-Life Laws on Homelessness

By on 9/18/24 in About, CEF Advocacy, Chapel Hill, General, Highlight, Housing, In the News, Newsletters, Staff Story, Videos

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.”

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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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CEF First-Time Homebuyer Program Now Open

By on 7/25/24 in Chapel Hill, General, Highlight, Housing
CEF First-Time Home-buyer Program is Now Open

In line with our mission to end the #racialwealthgap, we created our First-Time Homebuyers Program (FHP) to support CEF Members in Orange and Durham counties as they build wealth and stability through home-ownership.

We believe our Members making under 50% AMI should have a fair shot at building generational wealth. We also want to set our Members up for success. Because of external income and stability requirements by mortgage lenders and affordable homeownership organizations, within a process that has been shaped and gatekept by racialized capitalism, not every CEF Member who applies to our program will be accepted.

This has been a hard decision for CEF to make. We urgently implore local, state, and federal bodies to make radical strides toward removing any and all barriers to deeply affordable home-ownership for very low and fixed-income community members.

Until then, CEF aims to empower eligible Members with knowledge and tools they need to buy their first home.

Our Program Offerings Include

  • Financial coaching modules around homeownership
  • Connection to @HUDgov certified homebuyer education classes with local community partners: @empowementincnc , Reinvestment Partners and @communityhometrust
  • Support around hitting homebuyer savings goals
  • Financial assistance with downpayment and closing costs

Thanks to @chapelhillgov and Metlife Insurance, Upon completion of our FHP, CEF Members are eligible for 2:1 savings match in Chapel Hill, and a 3:1 savings match in Durham County, up to $2,000. So, Members buying a home in the Town of Chapel Hill can have up to $6,000 to put toward down-payment and closing costs, and Members buying in Durham can have up to $8,000.

We are grateful to our funders for working to alleviate one of the biggest barriers to homeownership: the upfront costs associated with buying a home.

Want more information?
Check out our screening and interest form, linked at: tinyurl.com/FHP2024

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

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