Renaissance Social Services, Inc.

I am thrilled to be a part of this organization that has plays such an integral role in getting individuals in need back on their feet. From providing emergency housing support to providing resources that allow program members to focus on the basics, RSSI is able to help people build a sustainable living situation which includes stable housing. RSSI is ran by a group of passionate employees that truly have a pulse on the community allowing them to create and run programs with meaningful impact to the city of Chicago.

I've been involved with Renaissance Social Services since 2008, having served on the Associate Board and currently serve on the Board of Directors. I have witnessed the organization take amazing shape through the years, offering a full array of supportive & housing services for those in need. Such a great mission! Just listening to all of the positive impacts Renaissance has made for thousands of individuals & families throughout Chicago, while hearing so many amazing stories from the folks have been impacted, is what it's all about!

Renaissance Social Services has continued to grow and expand its scope of services and its impact in Chicago over the 7+ years I've been involved with the agency as an Associate Board member and now a member of the Board of Directors. They practice a Housing First model and truly meet clients where they are, both of which are so critical to the positive outcomes the agency is able to produce as exemplified by their annual Participant Outcomes & their robust Social Return on Investment (SROI) studies. The agency leadership and staff are compassionate, well-trained, knowledgable, and hard-working individuals who all care deeply about Renaissance's vision to create a Chicago without homelessness or inequities and work tirelessly every day to move the needle a bit closer to that goal.

I am proud of Renaissance's work and impact through out the city of Chicago. As a new Board member, I am enthusiastic about raising awareness of Renaissance and advancing it's goals.

Now entering my third year on the Board at Renaissance, I am continually impressed by how the organization comes up with new and creative ways to successfully address homelessness and its multi-faceted causes and consequences in Chicago. And the financial impact our programming has on the community, our Social Return on Investment value, speaks for itself.

The pandemic has underscored the immeasurable value of the emergency financial assistance we provide through our Homeless Prevention Program to individuals and families one paycheck or unexpected bill away from homelessness. And the pandemic, moreover, has shone a spotlight on the dire need for mental health services in our communities. With our newest program, the Living Room, located in the Austin neighborhood, Renaissance is once again at the forefront, providing mental health crisis respite for those in need.

Renaissance is an incredible organization, top to bottom.

Renaissance Social Services is a growing nonprofit that is doing great work in the Chicago area. The organization follows a housing first model, which has been proven to promote positive outcomes and lasting change for those experiencing homelessness. Clients' individual needs are assessed and addressed through the organizations full wraparound supports. One of the things I love about Renaissance's team is that not only do they provide direct services to end homelessness, but they also focus on raising awareness and educating the public on the cause. Reducing stigma is a large part of the battle and I personally have grown so much from volunteering with Renaissance.

As President of the Board of RSSI and a long time Board member, I continue to be amazed by the work that the team does and the impact that the organization has on our community. There are too many stories to share of our clients getting dignity back in their lives and in so many cases reconnecting with their families. I have watched this organization grow and am confident it will continue to impact the most vulnerable members of our community for years to come.

We are always looking for more volunteers so please don’t hesitate to contact us and become a part of the so very important work that RSSI does.

I feel privileged to be involved with Renaissance's efforts to serve those living in homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless. The thoughtful development of a coherent set of programs that recognizes the different challenges faced by their clients has contributed to the organization's success. I have been particularly impressed by the willingness to engage in ongoing assessment of their work. It reflects the dedication of staff to ensure that some of the most vulnerable children and adults in Chicago have housing and support to build self-sufficiency.

RSSI is a multifaceted organization that does great work in supporting vulnerable populations and strengthening communities in the Chicago area. By offering permanent supportive housing, case management, mental health services, as well as family and other support programs, RSSI is involved in key areas of the continuum of care. I'm excited to be involved in what they are doing!

I've been consistently impressed with the level of dedication Renaissance's staff has to supporting clients, especially during the pandemic. Their commitment and ambition is truly impressive. Renaissance's focus on both housing and wrap-around case management support makes it a clear leader in efforts to end homelessness in the Chicago area.

I recently saw an NBC5 Chicago piece on the 10 o'clock news. I am currently signed up to volunteer for the organization and their upcoming initiative in October to end homelessness in Chicago. I never knew the shocking statistics how how many are homeless without ANY form of shelter at all in this city. Over 6,000 are homeless, but over 1,200 individuals have absolute no shelter at all. To me, the most outstanding accomplishment of RSSI is that they have do not just find homeless individuals shelter or give them food for the time being. They provide both shelter and housing as well as mental support, jobs and more. The individual mentioned in the news story had lived on the streets for something like 18 years... How could someone adjust to a new lifestyle without mental and job support? The fact that RSSI covers many bases with their services is extremely impressive and respectable.