CEF: Community Empowerment Fund

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CEF: Community Empowerment Fund The Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) is a non-profit organization in Durham and Orange Counties of North Carolina.

CEF’s mission is to cultivate opportunities, assets, and communities that sustain transitions out of homelessness and poverty. Founded in 2009, CEF provides person-centered support, financial education, and asset building tools to individuals experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity. Our approach combines person-centered support with financial services that pursue equity in order to reduce the racial wealth gap. CEF Members receive sustained one-on-one support from volunteer Advocates, trained in racial equity and trauma-informed care, to help achieve their chosen goals. Working with Advocates, Members secure housing, gain employment, and build savings in order to increase assets and sustain transitions out of poverty. CEF creates a community of support that empowers Members, offers experiential learning opportunities for Advocates to grow and learn, and advocacy and collaboration to address the systemic causes of homelessness and poverty. CEF’s work is grounded in recognition of the detrimental impacts of systemic racism on Black and Brown members of our communities. We leverage the combined resources of passion for sustaining transitions out of homelessness, dedicated volunteers, partners with shared values, and cross-spectrum collaborations to offer holistic support to each Member.

CEF Supports World Stroke DayWhy is CEF posting about World Stroke Day? As a stroke survivor, our Executive Director, Do...
10/29/2026

CEF Supports World Stroke Day

Why is CEF posting about World Stroke Day? As a stroke survivor, our Executive Director, Donna Carrington, is passionate about sharing what she has learned to help others recognize the warning signs, take preventative steps, and support survivors throughout their recovery.

Did you know?
• A stroke occurs every 40 seconds in the United States.
• Someone dies from a stroke every 3 minutes and 14 seconds.
• One in four adults over age 25 will experience a stroke in their lifetime.

High blood pressure, diabetes, to***co use, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity, heavy alcohol consumption, and poor diet can increase stroke risk.

Know the warning signs. Remember B.E. F.A.S.T.

B | Balance: Sudden loss of balance or coordination.

E | Eyes: Sudden vision loss or blurred vision in one or both eyes.

F | Face: One side of the face droops when smiling.

A | Arms: One arm feels weak or drifts downward when raising both arms.

S | Speech: Speech becomes slurred or difficult to understand.

T | Time: Call 911 immediately if someone experiences any of these symptoms. Note the time symptoms first appeared.

Regular health screenings and preventative checkups can help you stay informed about your health. Knowing the warning signs and acting quickly can also save lives.

Having a stroke is a significant, life-changing event. This World Stroke Day, CEF encourages our community to prioritize prevention, recognize the signs, and support survivors throughout their recovery.

Thank you to everyone who joined us this weekend for the House Us Now! March and Financial Independence Day.We came toge...
10/12/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us this weekend for the House Us Now! March and Financial Independence Day.

We came together to advocate for housing for low-income, no-income, and fixed-income populations, support tenants’ rights, and celebrate CEF Members as they continue advancing on their paths to financial freedom.

Join us for an evening with Local First Bank as we learn practical tools and strategies to help us better navigate unexp...
10/05/2026

Join us for an evening with Local First Bank as we learn practical tools and strategies to help us better navigate unexpected financial events in our lives!

The goal of this class is to provide CEF Members with knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions, and build a strong foundation for their financial future. CEF Members who attend this Community Class will receive financial coaching session credit toward their next Safe Savings 20% match!

Date: Wednesday, October 14th
Time: 3:30 - 5:30pm
Location: 125 West Main, Suite 200, Carrboro, NC, 27510.
Register here: tinyurl.com/PrepareOC26

It’s that time of year again! We’re getting ready for our annual fundraiser, Piggy Bank Bash!Saturday, November 711 AM–1...
10/05/2026

It’s that time of year again! We’re getting ready for our annual fundraiser, Piggy Bank Bash!

Saturday, November 7
11 AM–1 PM
Hargraves Community Center
Presented by First Horizon Foundation

Join us for a brunch celebrating the work of CEF Members and Advocates and the impact of our community.

Tickets are donation-based, so give what you can.

Interested in combating economic injustice, housing insecurity, and homelessness in Durham? Join the Community Empowerme...
09/16/2026

Interested in combating economic injustice, housing insecurity, and homelessness in Durham?

Join the Community Empowerment Fund (CEF) as a volunteer Advocate this Fall! Work alongside community Members to achieve goals like securing housing, employment, and financial stability.

Commitment is just 2 hours per week plus training. Apply today through the link on our website!

Save the Date!House Us Now! March & Financial Independence Day is almost here!Join us Oct 10th at Strayhorn House as we ...
09/10/2026

Save the Date!

House Us Now! March & Financial Independence Day is almost here!

Join us Oct 10th at Strayhorn House as we march together to Baldwin Park in support of housing justice and economic empowerment. Stand in solidarity with tenants demanding housing for all and help celebrate CEF Members as they advance on their journeys toward financial freedom.

March Gathering Location:
Strayhorn House
109 Jones Ferry Rd.
Carrboro, NC

March Destination:
Baldwin Park
400 Broad Street
Carrboro, NC

Join us for an Expunction/Second Chance Workshop facilitated by our friends at Legal Aid of North Carolina Date: Septemb...
09/08/2026

Join us for an Expunction/Second Chance Workshop facilitated by our friends at Legal Aid of North Carolina

Date: September 28th
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: IFC Commons, 110 West Main Street
Parking is available on site!

CEF’s Orange County office is excited to partner with Activate! IFC, Fenced In Fighting for Freedom Advocacy, the Orange County Local Re-entry Council, and Starting Point Harm Reduction for this event.

Come on by to learn more about whether you may be eligible to remove information from your criminal record and take a step toward a second chance!

Join our CEF Durham Team! We are hiring for a full time position: Member Services Coordinator (MSC). Please submit (1) c...
09/08/2026

Join our CEF Durham Team! We are hiring for a full time position: Member Services Coordinator (MSC).

Please submit (1) cover letter, (2) a resume, and (3) contact information for 3 references to [email protected] with subject “DU-MSC” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Start date Oct 1st.

For more information and full job description, visit our website: www.communityef.org/hiring

Join us for an evening with Local First Bank as we learn practical tools and strategies to help us better understand cre...
08/10/2026

Join us for an evening with Local First Bank as we learn practical tools and strategies to help us better understand credit and budgeting.

The goal of this class is to provide CEF Members with knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions, and build a strong foundation for their financial future.

CEF Members who attend this Community Class will receive financial coaching session credit toward their next Safe Savings 20% match!

Looking for a meaningful way to get involved in Orange County? Become a CEF Advocate and partner with Members as they wo...
07/30/2026

Looking for a meaningful way to get involved in Orange County?

Become a CEF Advocate and partner with Members as they work toward housing and financial stability. As an Advocate, you’ll build meaningful relationships, grow through ongoing learning, and make a lasting impact in your community.

Applications for our Fall 2026 Orange County Advocate Cohort are due August 14th!
Apply today: https://tinyurl.com/Fall-Advocate

Address

125 West Main Street , Suite 200
Carrboro, NC
27510

Opening Hours

Monday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 10:30am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 10:30am - 2:30pm
Thursday 10:30am - 4:30pm
5pm - 7pm

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