The Renaissance Collaborative, Inc. - TRC

At TRC, Renaissance Apartments residents learned more about the upcoming November election by participating in a recent info session hosted by League of Women Voters of the US and FairVote Illinois.

Join us and become a more informed voter - National Voter Registration Day is September 17! For more information on candidates and polling places near you, check out: https://www.IllinoisVoterGuide.org
Chicago Mayor's Office

We’re close to breaking ground on Abrams Intergenerational Village (AIV)!

AIV is an affordable housing project in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood that will provide support for low-income aging adults, grandfamilies raising children, and young adults facing housing insecurity. ‍‍‍

We're 97% funded, but we need YOUR help to reach the finish line! Donate by September 16th and your gift value can be TRIPLED! Your gift can become up to a 50% credit on your upcoming tax return. Learn more and donate here: https://bit.ly/AIVSeptember16

Big changes are underway! 🚧🏡 Our supportive housing residence for chronically homeless adults at 3757 S. Wabash Ave is being transformed through a RAD-2 conversion. This renovation will provide a renewed, supportive environment where individuals can thrive and build a new chapter in their lives. Stay tuned for more updates! 🌟

Our team went to JPMorgan Chase & Co.'s Chicago headquarters last week to kick off the Force for Good project! Over the next 8 months, we'll be working with technology experts at Chase to choose and customize a database for our residential services at Renaissance Apartments. We're looking forward to the insights this database will give us to provide the best services possible.

TRC Approaching Close of AIV Housing Development - Read more: https://mailchi.mp/trcwabash/trc-approaching-close-of-aiv-housing-development

To conclude , here is a project that impacted local and national history. Nearly 25 years ago, Powers & Sons Construction helped restore and preserve the Wabash YMCA in . When it opened in 1913, the Wabash YMCA was the only Y in the city to admit Black residents. A few years later, it was the backdrop for Carter G. Woodson's launch of what was then known as Negro History Week, which expanded to become Black History Month in the 1970s. The Wabash Y was added to National Register of Historic Places in 1986. St. Thomas Episcopal, Quinn Chapel AME, and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church came together to found The Renaissance Collaborative, Inc. - TRC in 1992 to save the Wabash Y from demolition. Long abandoned, the building had a roof that was partially collapsed, a pool filled with murky green water, and lots of damage, including buckling walls. TRC selected Powers & Sons to restore the five-story, 100-unit structure. When finished, it was recognized with the 2001 Chicago Landmarks Award for Preservation Excellence and the 2001 Outstanding Private Leadership Award from Landmarks Illinois, the 2002 Distinguished Building Award from the AIA of Chicago, and the 2002 National Preservation Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Today, TRC offers historical tours of the Wabash Y during Black History Month and has an interactive, web-based tour of the building online. Visit https://lnkd.in/gsTx_vEu for more.

Thank you to everyone who came out during the only cold day last week to attend the Wabash Y Open House and Black-Owned Market! An exceptionally large thanks goes to our sponsor EF Design Group, the vendors aplomb, Absolutely Anything Essential Gift Shop, Beyond Beautiful Books & Beauty, Da Book Joint, Good2Go_Veggie, K~Fleye Designs by Kelley Moseley, LMarie Nail Lacquer, Life Bowls Hibachi Bar, The Girl Code Rules of Engagement , and our history partners Bronzeville Trail Task Force and Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area. We couldn't have done it without you!

Announcing more incredible vendors joining the Open House & Black-Owned Market on Saturday, Feb 24th! Get ready to indulge your senses with a diverse array of products from local artisans and businesses.

Kelley Kfleye Moseley
Life Bowls Hibachi Bar
Absolutely Anything Essential Gift Shop
Beyond Beautiful Books & Beauty
and local authors: Shaneen Murray, Shannon Wilson, and Highlights of Chicago Press

And don't forget, admission is free thanks to our sponsor EF Design Group. Can't wait to see you there!

🌟 Exciting News! 🌟 We're thrilled to announce the first set in the incredible lineup of vendors for the upcoming Open House & Black-Owned Market on Saturday, February 24th!

Moore Poppin Chicago Gourmet Popcorn
L'Marie Nail Lacquer
Da Book Joint
Good2Go_Veggie
aplomb creative salon

More vendors to come!

Mark your calendars and invite your friends and family to join us for a day of delicious food, supporting local businesses, and paying respect to the history of the historic former Wabash Y.

Admission is free thanks to our sponsor EF Design Group!

TRC's events at the historic former Wabash Y are the subject of this Black History Month story by NBC Chicago. Also featured is Kelley Kfleye Moseley, an artist that is scheduled to be one of our vendors at the event on February 24th!

Discover Black heritage: A Bronzeville building's rich history While the U.S. started observing Black History Month in 1976, that designation was actually an expansion of Negro History Week, which started in Chicago 50 year earlier. As NBC 5’s LeeAnn Trotter explains, one Bronzeville building is wrapped up in that history.

This morning our Executive Director, Oji Eggleston, took part in this discussion on WBEZ.

▶️ Listen Now: A Bronzeville building is the birthplace of Black History Month The start of Black History Month can be traced back to a YMCA in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood.

New banner went up yesterday courtesy of our lead February sponsor, EF Design Group!

Guided historical tours have started and the next one is this Sunday at 11:30 am. You'll learn about the origins of and the important role the historic former Wabash Y had in African American history. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite now.

https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-renaissance-collaborative-3385300376

In honor of Black History Month and its origins at the historic former Wabash Y, TRC will be holding guided history tours of the Wabash Y on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays throughout February. The first tours are happening this Friday, Feb 2nd!

Tickets for the guided tours are $20 and can be purchased on Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-renaissance-collaborative-3385300376

Also, mark your calendar for February 24th! We will also hold an Open House and Black-Owned Market from 1-4 pm. There is no cost for entry at this event thanks to our sponsor, EF Design Group.

Wishing You a Joyful Holiday Season -

Wishing You a Joyful Holiday Season In the spirit of compassion and goodwill, we're kindly reminding you of the joy that comes from making a difference in someone else's life. Let's make this holiday season not just a time of celebration, but also a season of generosity and kindness. Your support, no matter how big or small, can bring...

Premiering today at 7pm on WTTW - Chicago PBS: The Most Beautiful Places in Chicago 2 hosted by Geoffrey Baer will feature the historic former Wabash Y!

www.wttw.com/beautifulplaces

WTTW’s award-winning host/writer/producer Geoffrey Baer is back with a sequel, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN CHICAGO 2 and TRC's own Wabash Y will be featured as one of the most beautiful places!

It's premiering Monday, December 4 at 7:00 pm on WTTW and live streaming on wttw.com/beautifulplaces. - https://mailchi.mp/trcwabash/wttw-to-feature-the-wabash-y

Transform Lives Today: Your Generosity Unleashes Hope on ! - https://mailchi.mp/trcwabash/transform-lives-today-your-generosity-unleashes-hope-on-givingtuesday

Happy ! Today is all about the joy of giving back and making a positive impact. 💖 Join us in spreading kindness and generosity. Here are a few simple ways you can make a difference:

1️⃣ Donate: Give to TRC ( www.trcwabash.org/donate ) or another cause close to your heart. Every contribution, no matter the size, can make a big difference.

2️⃣ Volunteer: Give the gift of your time. Whether it's at a local shelter, food bank, or community event, your efforts matter.

3️⃣ Spread the Word: Share this post to raise awareness. Let's inspire others to get involved and create a ripple effect of kindness.

4️⃣ Acts of Kindness: Small gestures can have a big impact. Hold the door, buy someone's coffee, or simply offer a smile. It all adds up!

Remember, it's not about the size of the act; it's about the heart behind it. Together, we can make a difference. 💪❤️

We are proud to share the deeply personal story of Janice, a resident who had a rough start at TRC but has made impressive strides in her personal growth in the last year and has no plans to slow down. It is worth your time to read her both heartbreaking and inspirational story. Janice is just one example of a person your donation today will help in the upcoming year, but there are up to 200 residents in TRC buildings each year with equally compelling stories and accomplishments.

Read the whole story here: https://www.trcwabash.org/news/janices-story-in-her-own-words

P.S. Tomorrow is ! People all around the world will be finding ways to do good in all forms: acts of kindness, gifts of voice, time, talent, or treasure. Please help spread the word by sharing posts made by TRC and other nonprofit causes to create a wave of generosity!

It’s past time to drive discrimination out of housing once and for all and replace it with a welcome and open door to housing everywhere. All people should feel welcome to live where they want and be able to fully use and enjoy their housing. www.ncrc.org/fh

Sonia moved into Renaissance Apartments around 2015 after getting treatment for her drug addiction. She became the first female to work in TRC’s janitorial training program. She took part in every personal development opportunity she could to add to her resume so she could secure steady employment. “The program, it has a lot to offer if you want to take advantage of it, and that’s what I did” she said.

Although she loved cleaning, her real passion is working with seniors. She got her background expunged and now has a part-time job in home health care.

This September, Sonia moved out into a one-bedroom apartment and has been clean for 13 years. She now lives in the same building as her daughter, daughter-in-law, and four of her grandkids.

Sonia’s daughter came with for her interview and shared her thoughts on the changes over the last 10-15 years. “I feel like she changed a lot over the years... Our relationship got stronger and better… When she first got here, she was she was more focused on trying to find herself and being closer to God and as time went on, we started working on us. ”

Sonia added, “We never really had a mother-daughter relationship because of my addiction… When I moved [into Renaissance Apartments], that’s when I feel like we started to kind of connect… I know there was some bitterness there, some doubts there, about me trying to come in and take up ‘mom’ duties and do the ‘mom’ things when we actually had to learn one another. We’re getting there, slowly but surely we’re getting there. I’ve learned that I have to allow her to be her, to express her feelings, to let her vent, to do and say what she needs to say to me. For me to take into consideration, I can’t just jump in and try to be ‘mom.’ I want to do it so bad but I have to let God allow us to move at his pace, not ours, not mine. It’s a process and I can honestly say it’s getting better."

Letter from the ED

I cannot believe I have been the Executive Director (ED) of The Renaissance Collaborative (TRC) for almost TEN MONTHS! It is true what they say, time flies when you are having fun. The role has surpassed my expectations in the sense that I have learned so much and get to meet and work with great people every day. I am excited to usher in the next phase of leadership at TRC by building on the great legacy and foundation set by Patricia Abrams for the last 30 years. While change is not easy, I can say that Pat and the Board of Directors’ leadership through the transition has been invaluable.

I am very committed to our existing and future building residents, the Bronzeville neighborhood, as well as TRC’s partners and community stakeholders. I have been rooted in Bronzeville for over 20 years where I have been blessed to purchase my first home, raise my family, and watch the growth of Bronzeville. I now have the opportunity to assist in the advancement of Bronzeville by bringing forth strategic development, impactful programming, and forming meaningful partnerships. I pledge to carrying forth the mission of TRC, to promote self-sufficiency, as well as focus on providing affordable supportive housing, in step with TRC’s tradition.

As I approach my one-year anniversary, I am excited about the opportunities for TRC as the year ends and we move into 2024. The plan is to improve and grow in this next phase of TRC’s history, building on the organization’s strong foundation. In the coming months, our goals include: enhancing programming with new partnerships, expanding the Board of Directors with new members from the community and our founding churches, increasing revenue and in-kind donations, improving our existing buildings, and the creation of additional affordable housing units within Bronzeville.

The right team is in place to ensure we meet the needs of our residents and the Bronzeville community.

If you would like to support this work, please contact Tara at [email protected] to discuss partnership opportunities.

Special thanks to all of our current funders and supporters.

Sincerely,
Oji Eggleston
Executive Director

The Wait List is Open at Renaissance Apartments! Individuals experiencing housing insecurity should check out the eligibility criteria at www.TRCWabash.org/housing and check out these steps to put your name on the list!

Join the Rosenwald Park Campaign at the Wayfarer Theaters in Highland Park, IL 7 p.m. Thursday, November 16, for a big screen showing of the Campaign’s award-winning film, Rosenwald: Toward a More Perfect Union, followed by brief presentations by four Campaign representatives and then a panel discussion. Rabbi Steven Lowenstein of Am Shalom Synagogue in nearby Glencoe will moderate the program. Steve Sarowitz, the owner of the theater complex, generously has made it available for this use. Register here for this free program https://www.amshalom.com/event/the-life-and-legacy-of-julius-rosenwald.html

Please feel free to invite your friends. This is a great American story of how people of very different backgrounds and cultures worked together toward a more perfect union. It is a story that we need at this difficult time. And a New National Park is the place in which to tell it!

Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Chicago Sinai Congregation Hyde Park Historical Society Landmarks Illinois Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Women's Philanthropy - Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit Historic Sears Sunken Garden in North Lawndale North Lawndale Historical and Cultural Society Preservation Chicago South Side Community Art Center The Renaissance Collaborative, Inc. - TRC The Newberry Library Stone Temple Baptist Church

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We had over 250 guests stop by the historic former Wabash Y for Open House Chicago and we're looking forward to another full day today!

We've put together a detailed tour that covers the building's extensive history and cultural impact. Hope to see you today (Oct 15th) between 10-5 to share it with you!

Thank you to Chicago Architecture Center and the many volunteers who have made this weekend possible!

Visit www.openhousechicago.org to learn more and see all the 170+ sites that are participating this weekend!

Here's What To See In Bronzeville And The Near South Side During Open House Chicago 2023 The nearly century-old Rosenwald Apartments joins 10 other architectural marvels in and around Bronzeville included in this year's Open House.