An education and retreat center where leaders and organizers can connect, strategize, and recharge
Avila Center for Community Leadership sits on 50 wooded acres in northern Durham, NC. It is a self-service retreat and gathering space built for organizers, nonprofits, and social justice groups: walking trails, meeting rooms, a shared kitchen, and overnight lodging for up to 54 people. Avila exists to support and connect leaders working for systemic change in the South and beyond.
Avila is, from its very origin, a collaborative project. In 2019, Self-Help was exploring the idea of creating a physical space for community organizing and capacity building. At the same time, the organization United for a Fair Economy had been developing a similar vision. When a historic retreat property just north of Durham came up for sale, the conversation came together naturally — and so did the partnership.
Self-Help Ventures Fund owns the Avila property as part of our broader commitment to community development. Owning a retreat center might seem like an unusual move for a financial institution. But at Self-Help, we believe the most durable change is made collectively. Avila gives organizers and community leaders a dedicated place to gather, collaborate and strengthen their work.