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History
At the beginning of the 20th century, Community Renewal Society helped create and shape the religious infrastructure for newly arrived immigrants through the founding of churches, schools and settlement houses.
During the great depression of the 1930s, Community Renewal Society's network of congregations and communities worked in cooperation with government agencies to create solutions to deepening social and economic problems of that time. In the 1960s, as the demand for an end to segregation gathered momentum, Community Renewal Society trained thousands of clergy and lay persons in the Civil Rights Movement to promote racial understanding and urban ministry, both locally and nationally.
Today, Community Renewal Society provides leadership and support in several areas including: public housing, education, criminal justice, youth advocacy and senior issues. Within these areas, Community Renewal Society networks with congregations, community-based organizations, faith-based groups and civic and philanthropic institutions. The resources of this network serve two purposes. One, it creates bridges between institutions. And two, it provides tools that empower communities to affect public policies that relate to their neighborhoods. The outcome -- strengthened institutions and flourishing communities.
In addition, for the last 32 years, Community Renewal Society has provided investigative reporting on issues of education, government, housing, criminal and social justice and economic conditions through its award winning publications The Chicago Reporter and Catalyst Chicago.
Since its creation in 1882, Community Renewal Society has adapted to the changing needs of our society and it continues to offer innovative approaches to deeply rooted urban problems. Community Renewal Society concretely improves the lives of individuals and communities in Chicagoland that are adversely affected by racism and poverty because we understand and recognize that justice is a work in progress.
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History
Our History
Founded in 1882 by laypersons and clergy of the Congregational Church (predecessor of the United Church of Christ), the Community Renewal Society is a metropolitan Chicago, faith-based, social justice organization. Community Renewal Society seeks to renew communities by bringing individuals and organization together across racial, class, denominational and faith lines.At the beginning of the 20th century, Community Renewal Society helped create and shape the religious infrastructure for newly arrived immigrants through the founding of churches, schools and settlement houses.
During the great depression of the 1930s, Community Renewal Society's network of congregations and communities worked in cooperation with government agencies to create solutions to deepening social and economic problems of that time. In the 1960s, as the demand for an end to segregation gathered momentum, Community Renewal Society trained thousands of clergy and lay persons in the Civil Rights Movement to promote racial understanding and urban ministry, both locally and nationally.
Today, Community Renewal Society provides leadership and support in several areas including: public housing, education, criminal justice, youth advocacy and senior issues. Within these areas, Community Renewal Society networks with congregations, community-based organizations, faith-based groups and civic and philanthropic institutions. The resources of this network serve two purposes. One, it creates bridges between institutions. And two, it provides tools that empower communities to affect public policies that relate to their neighborhoods. The outcome -- strengthened institutions and flourishing communities.
In addition, for the last 32 years, Community Renewal Society has provided investigative reporting on issues of education, government, housing, criminal and social justice and economic conditions through its award winning publications The Chicago Reporter and Catalyst Chicago.
Since its creation in 1882, Community Renewal Society has adapted to the changing needs of our society and it continues to offer innovative approaches to deeply rooted urban problems. Community Renewal Society concretely improves the lives of individuals and communities in Chicagoland that are adversely affected by racism and poverty because we understand and recognize that justice is a work in progress.
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