Our 142nd Annual Membership Assembly (AMA) was on October 20!
We are grateful to those who joined us at our virtual reception, featuring a special presentation by CRS Board Member Rev. Avalon Betts-Gaston, a dedicated advocate for justice and human rights. The first part of our AMA focused on the work CRS has been doing over the last year, including the liberation of Palestine and the pursuit of Beloved Community.
For the second part of our AMA, CRS is partnering with the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theological Center for a powerful journey to Jerusalem from November 17-24. This spiritual and cultural immersion will bring faith in action as we align against apartheid and occupation.
Thank you for being a part of this transformative experience!
Community Renewal Society (CRS) continues to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Rev. Dr. Calvin Morris, a past CRS Executive Director. We are grateful to those who gathered in community with us on April 20 to honor Rev. Morris’ leadership, service, and civil and human rights activism and to those who joined us at his celebration of life in Chicago in March 2024.
To carry out Rev. Morris’ commitment to education and community service, CRS aims to support the Morris Family Memorial Scholarship. Please consider making a gift toward this scholarship. Contributions will offer financial assistance to deserving students.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
My Congregation Votes is an opportunity for civic engagement and education around issues at stake in elections. This campaign empowers people of faith to use their voices to advocate for Beloved Community and create systemic change with CRS.
Community Renewal Society is a faith-based, community organizing and public policy organization that works with congregations in and around Chicago to address issues of racism and poverty.
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Increase police accountability in Chicago through citywide coalition, constituency and capacity building, by ensuring civilian control of the Chicago Police Department and implementing the Federal Consent Decree.
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Increase employment, housing and educational opportunities for directly impacted people within jail or the prison industrial complex by advancing legislative reforms that restore rights and create economic opportunities for people with records.
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Advocate for reparations and economic justice as restitution for moral injury, protracted trauma and cultural disinheritance.
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Increase shared vision of The Beloved Community, commitment to justice, equity, inclusion, healing and advocacy in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ communities.
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Community Renewal Society is engaged in racial healing through our commitment to honor the full humanity of individuals impacted by the prison industrial complex, persons displaced and homeless, and by honoring the narratives of those lives stolen by racialized violence, discrimination and police brutality. We are committed to building bridges and providing resources to facilitate healing in diverse capacities.
2022-2023 Platform For Renewal
The Platform for Renewal encompasses five key issue areas reflecting on extensive listening sessions, detailed policy analysis and our commitment together with our member congregations and coalition partners, to do the work of antiracism and justice.
Read About Our Work
Today is Election Day. That means today, Tuesday, November 5, is the last day to cast our votes for a host of political offices that have the power to determine the course of the future for our individual and communal lives. CRS encourages all who read this to make that choice.
CRS and our member congregation, Urban Village Church, Wicker Park, co-hosted a virtual gathering on October 23. This online meeting set out to educate our network on the battle to end pretextual traffic stops in Chicago and empower folks to mobilize because, as asserted before, when we fight, we win.
With Election Day approaching on November 5, CRS launched our “My Congregation Votes” 2024 campaign to help people of faith and goodwill ensure that they are registered and ready to vote. Read this blog article to find voting resources and commit to voting.
Marcellus Khaliifah Williams was slain, and the whole criminal injustice system is on trial. As people of faith and goodwill, let’s feel our anger, frustration, and zeal for justice. This is important. Then, we should alchemize this into action. All these systems of oppression are connected, and we stand together for justice.
With news of the September 21 mass shooting in Birmingham, Alabama, CRS compels Chicagoans to consider the ties that bind our two cities and ways we can care for our grieving siblings. We begin our Towards a Beloved City initiative, a partnership between community groups, city officials, and concerned people who will unite to reduce gun violence. Learn more in this statement.
CRS co-hosted a prayer vigil with our member congregation, Urban Village Church, at Grace Church of Logan Square for our “We Won’t Bury the Slain: Day of Action” on September 18. Together with site pastors and Black, Brown, white, and LGBTQIA+ communities in Chicago, we embodied the longstanding tradition of acting in solidarity in the pursuit of justice.
Our voices will resound stronger, louder, and unbroken in unison and Beloved Community. Our foreparents faced setbacks and obstacles. Still, they rose to the occasion for us and generations yet born. We will carry that spirited fire because it is perpetual and vibrantly inextinguishable through the persistence of our prayers, our protests, and our policies.
CRS joined a coalition of community leaders denouncing genocide and calling for a permanent ceasefire at the June 22 Die-In At AIPAC (The Israel Lobby). Read CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton’s reflection and access photos from the nonviolent demonstration.
CRS rang in Freedom Day early and boosted backing for the Free2Move Coalition’s campaign and their petition to end pretextual stops by canvassing at the June 15 Juneteenth Village Fest hosted by It Takes A Village Family of Schools. Check out photos from the fest here!
CRS and the North Lawndale community banded together on the West Side for an outreach initiative to reconfigure the Douglass Branch Library on June 8. In our labor, we sought to provide harmony and learning. Check out the event photos here!
On this Juneteenth, let’s honor our history by continuing our ancestors’ fight for freedom. Read our statement as we celebrate and build political power to ensure that Black liberation is a reality.
In honor of the Juneteenth holiday on June 19, join CRS in uplifting freedom for all! Check out this list of upcoming events happening in Chicago and Illinois.
Join CRS in celebrating love during Pride Month! Check out this list of upcoming PRIDE events happening in Chicago and Illinois.
This Memorial Day holiday, as CRS reflects on lives dedicated to service, moral courage, and the principles of justice, sacrifice, and human dignity, we do so against the backdrop of present-day wars, genocide, and a culture of violence that includes poverty and racism. We are beckoned to memorialize the peacekeepers of our past by being the change agents in this very hour of world suffering and unrest.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Sizer, founder and director of Peacemaker Trust and international coordinator for the 2024 Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center International Conference on Challenging Religious Extremism, published an article about the Church of England and Gaza. Read the complete article or summary conclusions here.
On May 14, 2024, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson will introduce his seven appointees for the CCPSA to the City Council Committee on Police and Fire. In anticipation of this important milestone in the Commission selection process, the District Council Nominating Committee proudly presents its comprehensive process report. Read the report here.
CRS shares a powerful message from Zoughbi Zoughbi, president of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), concerning the sanctity of life and the ongoing conflict in Palestine and Israel. His words are a reminder of the fundamental value and dignity of every human being.
Ahead of our 2024 AMA in Jerusalem, CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton met with Rabbi Brant Rosen and Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister for a panel discussion on April 24 hosted by the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center to amplify injustices around the world. Read our summary from the event here.
Join CRS in the immediate call to action to demand a YES vote on the recognition of Palestine as a member state of the United Nations. The cause of Palestinian sovereignty and security is a matter of justice and rights, and every one of our voices must be uplifted and heard.
As CRS calls on transparent conversations about the Chicago Police Department’s use of excessive force in relationship to Black, Brown, and Indigenous people of our Beloved city, we share a list of traffic stop resources in partnership with the ACLU of Illinois.
In America, policing has almost become synonymous with Black death. The March 21 killing of Dexter Reed (26) in Chicago is yet another horrific example of the ways in which Black bodies are violently and fatally endangered when they come in contact with law enforcement. They can’t keep killing us. The excessive use of force must stop!
CRS remains in solidarity with Palestinians experiencing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and colonialism committed by the Israeli occupation. We urge you to get involved in a new call to action advocating against apartheid and violence in Gaza and demanding a boycott of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Learn more here.
As April ushers in the change of spring, CRS proudly joins the nation in acknowledging Second Chance Month! This designation holds profound significance for us as we champion just reentry and equitable opportunities for all.
An ID program for migrants was held on March 29, stemming from an initiative to provide Chicago residents with a universally accepted government-issued identification, and serving as a reminder of the transformative power of inclusive policies and the enduring spirit of unity that defines the city’s identity.
Fair Housing Month is observed annually in April to commemorate the passing of the Fair Housing Act in 1968, which prohibits discrimination in housing. CRS fights for fair and equitable housing opportunities through advocacy, education, and resources. Discrimination and inequality still exist in housing, and the fight for fair housing continues.
We are reminded of the profound message of hope and healing that lies at the heart of this sacred season, including observations of Ramadan, Passover and Easter — each respectively steeped in Abrahamic traditions. It is a time when we reflect upon the ultimate act of love and redemption — the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
While CRS continues to grieve Rev. Dr. Gay L. Byron’s passing in December 2023, we admire her leadership and celebrate her groundbreaking scholarship, ministry and teaching. Join us in honoring Rev. Byron and keeping her family and friends in our prayers.
CRS shares our deep condolences with the saddening news of another senseless act of cruelty, the unimaginable brutality that stole the life of 11-year-old Jayden Perkins. We extend our heavy hearts to those grieving alongside us.
During an evening worship session of the 2024 Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference, CRS Executive Director Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton provided a moving testimony and call to action. She preached the urgency of uplifting disinvested and displaced communities, not only in Chicago, but in Palestine.
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Take Action
Join CRS' mission for positive change by visiting our "Take Action" page. Become a District Council Member, sign the Reparations Pledge and support crucial legislation. Access resources to find officials, understand legislation and request speakers. Engage in advocacy, faith-based discussions and civic activities like voter registration and letter-writing. Share your thoughts with The Chicago Reporter, connect with CRS on social media and subscribe to our newsletter. Donate to support our work and make a difference today!
Resources
Discrimination, societal pressures, and co-occurring disorders are just a few potential triggers for substance use in the LGBTQIA+ community. This article explores why rates of drug abuse and addiction in this population are higher than those of other groups.
Transgender individuals and gender-nonconforming (GNC)/gender-diverse (GD) patients face a lot of challenges in life, especially when it comes to healthcare. They are often subject to misgendering, harassment, and microaggressions, which often lead to a delay in seeking care and treatment. This article explores concepts and care recommendations for delivering gender-affirming nursing care.
Read this article to learn about a range of business funding and resources available for LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs, highlighting their importance in creating a more equitable entrepreneurial ecosystem.
People with substance use disorders who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ) face unique challenges and stigma that make securing addiction treatment difficult. For this reason, members of the LGBTQ community may benefit from the specialized drug and alcohol rehab programs listed in this guide designed for their specific health issues and needs.
Each person’s experience with substance use is unique, and influenced by factors such as personal history, social environment, and access to resources. The statistics in this article highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique challenges the LGBTQ community faces regarding addiction.
For adolescents and young adults seeking treatment for substance addiction, gender-specific programs might provide a higher level of care than traditional treatment approaches. This article explores what gender-specific treatment entails and how it can impact a young person’s recovery.
Living as an LGBTQ+ individual often comes with an array of unique challenges and difficulties. These can range from societal prejudice and discrimination to personal struggles with identity acceptance. This article explore the rejection some LGBTQ+ individuals face rejection from their family or community, which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
A person identifying as lesbian, bisexual, gay, transgender, or questioning (LGBTQ) often faces discrimination and challenges that heterosexual people don’t. Their risk of harassment and violent attacks is also higher. Because of these and other stressors, members of the LGBTQ community have a higher risk of substance abuse. This article dives into a 2023 report on drug use in the LGBTQ community during 2021 and 2022.
LGBTQ workplace discrimination involves treating any employee unfavorably based on their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. Check out this article to learn what constitutes as workplace discrimination.
By taking part in an LGBTQ+ substance use treatment program that’s sensitive to your needs, you recover alongside others who are in similar situations. This guide explores what benefits an LGBTQ+ addiction treatment program can provide to its participants.
The term LGBT refers to several different types of people, all with their own unique stories to tell. For decades, those stories were hidden from view, as researchers rarely asked questions about identity or preference when conducting studies. This guide explores published studies that contain data about the LGBT experience, and some of the statistics are worrisome.
One thing that holds across the world of addiction treatment is that no one individual is the same, and as such, their treatment should reflect that. That being the case, many obstacles stand in the way of one’s recovery. This guide explores why substance abuse rates are incredibly high in the LGBTQ community.
Some job interview questions are valid, while others might ask for private information employers don’t have the right to know. This guides explains how to tell the difference.
In a world characterized by complex health and societal challenges, one persistent crisis often eludes the global spotlight: extreme hunger. In a bid to highlight the depth of the international hunger crisis, Delivery Rank has compiled all of the most important facts and statistics on world hunger in 2024.
If you’re part of the LGBTQ+ community, you’re likely to face a few extra hurdles on the road to your career. To make this journey easier for you, Novorésumé compiled this ultimate guide to LGBTQ+ job search and career resources.
Students from historically marginalized groups face unique challenges when seeking help for mental health and addiction. These resource guides from SUPE help individuals better understand what shaped the current standard of care for their demographic, offer advice on what can be done to better oneself, and also give insight into steps that can be taken to make the future of mental health care more inclusive.
This book examines African American Christian involvement in Israel and Palestine to show how competing visions of “the Black Church” are changing through transnational political engagement. Considering cases ranging from African American Christian Zionists to Palestinian solidarity activists, Roger Baumann traces how Black religious politics transcend domestic arenas and enter global spaces.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Sizer, founder and director of Peacemaker Trust and the international coordinator for the 2024 Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center International Conference on Challenging Religious Extremism, published an article about the Church of England and Gaza. Read the complete article or summary conclusions here.
For anyone in the healthcare field or preparing as a student to work with diverse populations, including gender non-conforming youth, check out this article for research information, helpful websites, links to organizations, and even legal and healthcare resources.
We continue to call for greater transparency and insist on honoring the sanctity of life. We uplift the following op-ed by our partner and counsel of ACLU, Attorney Alexandra Block.
Join CRS in the immediate call to action to demand a YES vote on the recognition of Palestine as a member state of the United Nations. The cause of Palestinian sovereignty and security is a matter of justice and rights, and every one of our voices must be uplifted and heard.
The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) published its first Quarterly Report of 2024. The report documents sustained investigations into serious misconduct–including lying to OIG, a mishandled sexual assault investigation, threats by a City employee, and false police reports. Read the full report here.
As CRS calls on transparent conversations about the Chicago Police Department’s use of excessive force in relationship to Black, Brown, and Indigenous people of our Beloved city, we share a list of traffic stop resources in partnership with the ACLU of Illinois.
CRS remains in solidarity with Palestinians experiencing genocide, ethnic cleansing, and colonialism committed by the Israeli occupation. We urge you to get involved in a new call to action advocating against apartheid and violence in Gaza and demanding a boycott of the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. Learn more here.
Many grants are created specifically for LGBTQ+ people with mental health and substance use disorders. In this article, find information on LGBTQ+ addiction and mental health treatment grants for you or a loved one.
In the rapidly changing world, it is essential to create inclusive learning environments that cater to the needs of all learners. One approach that has gained significant recognition is Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Check out this article to understand UDL and its core principles.
Haiti has descended into a critical state of violence and chaos. More than one million children are living in areas under the influence of armed groups.
This article includes an extensive roster of more than 450 Black-owned businesses spanning various sectors that you can support.
In this article, vpnMentor has compiled all of the most important safety information you need to know as you show your solidarity for BLM on the internet.
Weather-related disasters are becoming more frequent with the advent of extreme weather cycles. This blog article written by Nina Sumner explores how these events impact people from minority ethnic backgrounds to a disproportionate level.
November is full of observances! Check out the list here and take action with CRS by engaging with our Facebook and Instagram posts that acknowledge these special designations.
Join us at the CRS co-sponsored 2024 ‘A Gathering of Communities: The Power of Our Stories for Collective Healing’ conference organized by our partner Communities United and co-convened by Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago to powerfully uplift community healing led by youth and families.
Join the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability at their public meeting to help us hold the Commission accountable for civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department.
For the second part of our AMA, CRS is partnering with the Sabeel Ecumenical Liberation Theology Center for a powerful journey to Jerusalem. Please contact us to learn more. Follow our Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.
Join the Community Commission for Public Safety and Accountability at their public meeting to help us hold the Commission accountable for civilian oversight of the Chicago Police Department.
Events
Member Congregations
Owner of Cole Consulting Corp., Founder and Executive Director of Majority, LLC.
CRS Board Chair Project Manager for the Illinois Alliance for Reentry & Justice
Associate Pastor of Online Engagement and Community Outreach at Covenant United Church of Christ
Associate Conference Minister of
Chicago Metropolitan Association Ministerial Leadership for Illinois Conference UCC
Assistant Professor of Theological Ethics and Society
Chicago Theological Seminary
Meet the Officers & Staff
The Chicago Reporter was founded in 1972 by John A. McDermott to measure Chicago’s progress toward racial equality as the civil rights era ended. Since its inception, it has been housed at Community Renewal Society.
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The Reporter serves a critical role in the city and nation by focusing the power of investigative reporting on issues of inequality that rarely receive thorough and regular examination by mainstream media organizations. Our core areas of coverage are criminal justice, affordable housing and economic development, jobs and transportation.
The Reporter’s investigations have had a significant impact on policy and the public discourse in Chicago. In the 1980s, then Mayor Harold Washington cited the Reporter’s work in addressing long standing racial inequalities in the distribution of city services. Almost 25 years later, the Reporter’s investigation of racially disparate home mortgage lending sparked a lawsuit by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan that resulted in an $8.7 billion settlement with Countrywide Financial. And in 2015, the Reporter was the only media organization in the city to acquire a video of a police officer shooting into a car of unarmed African-American teenagers, one of many cases of police-involved shootings leading up the release of a video showing the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.
Haiti has descended into a critical state of violence and chaos. More than one million children are living in areas under the influence of armed groups.