COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT COUNCIL

Community Empowerment Council (CEC) is a social-services nonprofit based in White Hall, Arkansas, serving Greater Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, and surrounding communities with programs that educate, prevent, and support. We currently lead prevention efforts across ten counties: Jefferson, Grant, Lincoln, Cleveland, Arkansas, Ashley, Chicot, Desha, Bradley, and Drew. Through evidence-based programs, training, and community capacity-building initiatives, we strengthen coalitions and reduce risk factors for youth and families.

CEC delivers substance abuse prevention through a comprehensive approach that includes youth education, public awareness campaigns, and evidence-based curricula. We're trained in Catch My Breath, a nationally recognized vaping prevention program designed to reduce e-cigarette initiation among youth. We also provide Mental Health First Aid materials to increase awareness and equip communities with the tools to respond to behavioral health challenges. Our prevention offerings include All Stars, which builds resiliency and decision-making skills among youth, along with ongoing workshops and outreach activities that address alcohol, tobacco, and other drug use. These programs are paired with technical assistance, coalition support, and data-driven strategies that make prevention both accessible and effective in every county we serve.

CEC further supports the community by connecting individuals to mental health resources through referrals, providing informational materials, and increasing awareness through staff trained in Mental Health First Aid. In addition, we expand opportunities for growth through educational workshops that offer financial literacy, job skills, substance use awareness, and other prevention-focused education designed to equip residents with the knowledge and tools needed for long-term success.

In partnership with the City of Pine Bluff, the Veterans Administration, and the Arkansas Department of Community Corrections, we also provide affordable and permanent housing for previously incarcerated adults. This initiative helps residents access job training, financial literacy, life-planning, and prevention supports that foster stability and reduce recidivism. Currently managing multiple housing units with plans for expansion, CEC remains committed to ensuring individuals have access to safe housing and the resources necessary for successful reentry.

Through our prevention leadership, referral-based mental health initiatives, educational outreach, and housing programs, Community Empowerment Council continues to empower individuals and transform communities. We invite donors, partners, and volunteers to join us in creating healthier, safer, and more equitable communities.