Tag Archives | general

Understanding Financial Abuse: A Hidden Crisis

By Gabrielle Prince on 10/2/24 in General

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Heal, Hold & Center

Abuse can take many forms, and while physical abuse is often recognized due to visible injuries, other types can be less apparent yet just as harmful. One of these is financial abuse, which can have a profound impact on victims. According to the National Hotline for Domestic Violence, financial abuse is rooted in the desire of one partner to have power and control over the other.

The Overlooked Aspect: Financial Abuse

It’s crucial to recognize that intimate partner violence affects millions of people across the United States. Alarmingly, 27% of contacts with the National Domestic Violence Hotline report experiencing financial abuse in their abusive relationships. Research from the National Network to End Domestic Violence shows that financial abuse occurs in 99% of domestic violence cases and is a significant component affecting nearly all victims. Many survivors stay in or return to abusive relationships due to fears about their financial stability and their ability to care for their children. Financial abuse can impact individuals across all socio-economic, educational, racial, and ethnic groups.

Financial abuse can take various forms, including:

Controlling Employment: Preventing a partner from working or attending school, leading to job loss or diminished career prospects.
Withholding Earnings: Taking the money earned from work or public assistance and refusing to give access to it.
Incurring Debt: Taking loans or credit in a partner’s name without their knowledge, leading to unmanageable debt.
Restricting Access: Controlling how money is spent and accessed, making it difficult for the victim to meet basic needs.

Resources Available

At the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF), we offer Safe Savings Accounts with a 20% match opportunity, as well as financial coaching focused on budgeting and credit repair. Our programs can provide survivors with a secure way to save money away from their abusers and help them regain financial independence.

Local Resources:

Standup Speakout NC – Durham
Compass Center – Chapel Hill, NC
Shining Light In Darkness (SLID)

National Resources:

CEF Safe Savings Accounts: New 20% Savings Match

By Gabrielle Prince 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!

CEF Chapel Hill Volunteer Advocate Deadline Extended!

By Gabrielle Prince on 8/29/24 in CEF Advocacy

Exciting news! The deadline to submit the Chapel Hill volunteer Advocate application has been extended to September 5th, 2024 at 5:00 PM.

As a reminder, CEF is seeking volunteer Advocates who can commit to working with Members and developing lasting relationships – before, during and well beyond their transitions out of housing insecurity. Volunteer Advocates can be anyone: undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff and even community members!

Responsibilities include committing to at least 2 office hours per week and utilizing anti-racism tools to advocate for Black and Brown Members in a larger context. A great Advocate is someone who is committed to lifelong learning.Within the application you can find a detailed description of the Advocate role and responsibilities. We are so excited to begin the Fall semester with wonderful new faces joining our community! Apply Today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdi_pzOyaFi5HQL2ziEYvOkLiRvUMTjghmF2m9PVLi7wXKhHg/viewform

CEF Durham Advocate Application Deadline Extended

By Gabrielle Prince on 8/26/24 in General

We’re excited to announce that the application deadline for the volunteer Advocate program has been extended to September 5th! If you haven’t applied yet, now is the perfect time to do so.

Become an Advocate where you can work alongside CEF Members to support them in reaching their goals around housing and financial stability.

To learn more about the CEF Advocate program and to apply follow this link! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSrK2yNp2vNHvPjE84NOXeOGToaA0ECeuB2suKc8ftbDaa2g/viewform

CEF Volunteer Advocate Application Open Now!

By Gabrielle Prince on 8/1/24 in General

CEF is seeking volunteer Advocates who can commit to working with Members over the long haul – before, during and well beyond their transitions out of housing insecurity. Volunteer Advocates can be anyone– undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff and even community members! Responsibilities include committing to weekly meetings for two or more years and utilizing antiracism tools to advocate for Black and Brown Members in a larger context. A great Advocate is someone who is committed to lifelong learning.

Read more about the opportunity and apply here! Applications will be due September 1st, 2024 at 5:00 PM!

The deadline to submit the application is September 1st, 2024 at 5:00 PM. More information regarding the internship can be found within the application via a linked job description. Any further questions or concerns can be directed to chloew@communityef.org.

CEF Chapel Hill Advocate Application Opening August 1st!

By Gabrielle Prince on 7/29/24 in General

Hey community! Chloe, our Chapel Hill Advocate Program Coordinator, wanted to let everyone know that the Advocate application for our Fall 2024 recruitment cycle will be officially opening on August 1st!

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer Advocate, complete the interest form and Chloe will share the application with you personally.

CEF is seeking volunteer Advocates who can commit to working with Members over the long haul – before, during and well beyond their transitions out of housing insecurity.

Volunteer Advocates can be anyone: undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, staff and even community members! Responsibilities include committing to weekly meetings for two or more years and utilizing anti-racism tools to advocate for Black and Brown Members in a larger context.

A great Advocate is someone who is committed to lifelong learning! If you would like more information about what the role entails, feel free to contact Chloe at chloew@communityef.org. We are already looking forward to welcoming new faces this fall!!

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