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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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CEF’s Chapel Hill office is relocating to the Community Worx building in Carrboro!

New Address:
125 W. Main St., Suite 200
Carrboro, NC

On the side of the building, you’ll see a metal railing leading to the steps or elevator to Floor 3.

Important Dates:

• Office Closure: August 11 – September 1, 2025
• Reopening: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 10:30 AM
• Community Fridge: Open through August 15, 2025

New Office Hours (Starting September 2, 2025):

• Monday – Thursday:
  10:30 AM – 12:30 PM & 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
• Friday: Closed

Thank you for your patience as we make this transition. We look forward to welcoming you to our new space!

The post CEF’s Chapel Hill Office is Relocating to Carrboro! appeared first on CEF: Community Empowerment Fund.

HOUSE US NOW x Financial Independence Day
March & Celebration – July 12th | 10 AM – 2 PM

Join us for a powerful day of celebration, solidarity, and action!

On Saturday, July 12th, we’ll gather to march from Peach Apartments to Pee Wee Homes, demanding safe, affordable housing for all—especially for our neighbors living on low, fixed, or no income, and those earning less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in Orange and Durham Counties.

This event is more than a march, it’s a celebration. Along the way, we’ll uplift the journeys of CEF Members as they build toward financial independence and housing stability. Come be part of a growing movement for justice, equity, and home for all.

The post Save the Date! House Us Now & Financial Independence Day appeared first on CEF: Community Empowerment Fund.

The post Mental Health Awareness Month: Mental Health & Economic Impact in Black Communities appeared first on CEF: Community Empowerment Fund.

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.

The post Thank You for Powering Our Mission: 2024 Annual Report Release Celebration appeared first on CEF: Community Empowerment Fund.

Join the NYU Furman Center’s Housing Solutions Lab for a 45-minute lunchtime webinar on Thursday, March 20 at 12 p.m. to learn how to present local data to encourage community involvement in housing policy and development decisions, with a special focus on underrepresented communities.

Patrick Spauster, Data Fellow at the NYU Furman Center, will provide a presentation about storytelling with data followed by a fireside chat with Allison De Marco, Advanced Research Scientist at the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute Development Institute and a faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill‘s School of Social Work; and Donna Carrington, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment Fund.

The post Data Talks Session 7: Equitable Storytelling With Data appeared first on CEF: Community Empowerment Fund.

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.

The post CEF Durham Summer Internship Application appeared first on CEF: Community Empowerment Fund.

Hello community! Our 2025 Summer Internship Application is open NOW! This unique 10 week program offers both paid full-time and unpaid part-time opportunities. We are looking for applicants who are dedicated to racial equity and justice, housing justice, and building genuine, long lasting community with neighbors in Orange county. This application is due no later than March 13th, 2025 at 5:00 PM. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they are received and interviewing opportunities will be offered accordingly. Feel free to reach out to Advocate Program Coordinator Chloe Wells at chloew@communityef.org with any questions or concerns. A full description of full and part time roles can be found within the application!

The post 2025 CEF Chapel Hill Summer Internship Application appeared first on CEF: Community Empowerment Fund.

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).

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