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Community Renewal's News and Event section provides members, donors, advisors and others with a snapshot of the organization's happenings. For more detailed information, please visit or "Events" page or our "News" page under "More About Us".
- Catalyst wins national award
Catalyst Chicago has won an award from the Education Writers Association for its special report “The Class of 2011,” which examined the Chicago Public Schools’ High School Transformation initiative through the life of Marshall High School. Editor in Chief Veronica Anderson was the editor, and Sarah Karp and John Myers were the reporters. Their package of stories placed second in the trade and special interest publication category. - Legislative Hearing on Nursing Home Reform
October 22, in collaboration with Community Renewal Society, Illinois State Senator Jacqueline Collins held a subject matter hearing on nursing home care. The hearing--with the Illinois Senate Public Health Committee--addressed disparities between nursing homes with mostly African American populations and their counterparts with mostly white residents.
»Read More - Be a Catalyst! Join Catalyst!
Catalyst Chicago is now offering memberships with benefits that include a free subscription to Catalyst In Depth, recognition on our web site and an environmentally friendly shopping bag and more.
»Read More - The Chicago Reporter Receives Public Service Award
The National Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, known as NCCNHR, presented its Public Service Award to reporter, Jeff Kelly Lowenstein and The Chicago Reporter for their work revealing widespread gaps in the quality of care along lines of race in Illinois nursing homes.
»Read More - Catalyst Among First to Receive New Education Award
Catalyst Founder and Publisher Linda Lenz in among the first recipients of The ACI-Arne Duncan Awards for Educational Equity, sponsored by the Associated Colleges of the Midwest.
»Read More - Civic Action Wins Change for Children of the Incarcerated
On Thursday November 12, 250 leaders from Civic Action Network member congregations and allied organizations turned out to a public meeting for children of the incarcerated with the Illinois Department of Corrections Director Michael Randle. Randle had agreed to...
»Read More - The Chicago Reporter Awarded a $75,000 Challenge Grant
We are very pleased to announce that The Chicago Reporter has been awarded a $75,000 challenge grant through the Challenge Fund for Journalism VI. The Challenge Fund for Journalism is a program of the Ford Foundation, the McCormick Foundation, and Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation. The initiative is designed to help journalism organizations improve their long-term financial health and sustainability by expanding and diversifying their earned and contributed income sources. DONATE today!
»Read More - Community Renewal Society 2009 Annual Report
The work of seeking social justice never ends. In these difficult times — with banks and the economy falling apart around us —it is important to remember those whose voices need amplification. Community Renewal Society has risen to that challenge. Read the Community Renewal Society's 2009 Annual Report.
»Read More - Catalyst Chicago Marks 20th Anniversary with New Editorial Ventures And Membership Model
In the midst of a contracting media landscape, Catalyst Chicago, an independent non-profit news organization focused on public education, is launching new editorial ventures and a membership model as it marks its 20th anniversary.
»Read More - Statement on Healthcare Reform By Rev. Calvin S. Morris Ph.D., Executive Director
The House of Representatives’ historic vote on health care reform is a significant milestone in legislative inclusion, not unlike other significant milestones in our nation’s history, such as social security, minimum-wage legislation, Medicare, and the 40 hour work week.
»Read More - Seniors Rally in Springfield at CRS Day of Faith in Action
On Wednesday, April 28, 150 leaders from Civic Action Network and Senior Network congregations converged on Springfield! The leaders rallied at the state capitol, joined by State Rep. Greg Harris, and met with elected officials, bringing them the message that people of faith across the state are fighting for meaningful nursing home reform, the rights of children of the incarcerated, and a responsible budget.
»Read More - The Chicago Reporter Wins Numerous Awards
In May, Chicago Reporter won the Chicago Headline Club's 2008 Watchdog Award for Excellence in Public Interest Reporting for the series "Missed Signals," which appeared in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of The Chicago Reporter. The Chicago Reporter's Kimbriell Kelly and Alden Loury also captured a Lisagor Award for business reporting in a trade or specialty magazine, newspaper or newsletter for "The High Price of Home Ownership," and Jeff Kelly Lowenstein, Angelica Herrera and Kimbriell Kelly won a Lisagor Award for in-depth reporting. The Chicago Reporter was also nominated for a 2008 Midwest Light of Human Rights Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan Award through Heartland Alliance.
»Read More - Catalyst is Changing
Next school year, Catalyst Chicago will cease to exist in its current format as a newsmagazine! Changing with the times, Catalyst will publish five such in-depth reports and move content, including Comings & Goings, Updates and Viewpoints, to their web site. They also will augment increased online news content with a community calendar and a "Yellow Pages" of school-related organizations. Visit Catalyst-Chicago for more details
