Summer 2010 Internship Opportunity in Local Microfinance:

Applications due January 14

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 Duke students interested in being a part of the program’s pilot launch of a micro-loan program in Durham during the summer of 2010.

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

To apply:

– Contact thecef@gmail.com or call (919) 270-5730 for details.

– Visit the DukeEngage website for an application.

– Funding applications due by midnight on January 14th.

For more information on the Community Empowerment Fund and our programs, please visit our website at http://www.communityempowermentfund.org.

Contact thecef@gmail.com with questions or for more information.