Annual Membership Assembly: Together, We Win!

The Annual Membership Assembly of Community Renewal Society chose the theme Together, We Win! which is an understanding of our interconnectedness domestically and globally, across the diaspora, sharing in our duty to be concerned for the welfare of our neighbors. Participants gathered virtually to hear about the organization's victories in social justice and advocacy campaigns, meet board members and staff and be inspired to serve. Rev. Dr. Brad Braxton delivered the keynote address, and members of our staff and coalition partners gave updates on our Platforms for Renewal. Awards were given to individuals, congregations and coalitions for their work in advancing social justice.

Annual Report
2022 — 2023

CONTENTS

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Congregation & Partner Awards

  • Given to a trailblazer, visionary and advocate for human rights displaying integrity and courage.

    Dr. Iva E. Carruthers, Samuel Dewitt Proctor Conference, General Secretary and co-founder.

  • Presented to a person who embodies the meaning of justice and faith in action

    Cynthia Greenwood

    Sandra Rigsbee

  • Presented to a church that has been at the forefront of our work, turning out to events and intentionally building power to move the CRS Platform for Renewal.

    The historic Kenwood United Church of Christ and Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Leroy Sanders, Associate Pastor Rev. Alice Harper Jones, and Church Leadership

  • Presented to individuals, organizations or coalitions who embody extraordinary partnership in a Community Renewal Society campaign.

    Avalon Betts-Gaston

    Rev. Jamie Frazier

The Chicago Reporter

2022 marked the 50th Anniversary of the founding of The Chicago Reporter. The Reporter continues to serve as a leader in investigative reporting of issues concerning race, poverty and social justice. 

Championing Voting Rights During Chicago’s Elections

The Chicago Mayoral Elections took place in the early months of 2023. In our commitment to Voting Rights, CRS held multiple events, including our 2023 Mayoral Candidate Forum, followed by our Chicago Community Conversation (CCC) for the Mayoral runoff elections. Following our CCC, our Yvonne V. Delk Theologian in Residence for CRS Rev. Erica Williams spoke with Carlos Rodriguez of Illinois Poor People's Campaign, encouraging our community to vote. After the runoff elections, she spoke with Rev. Darren Calhoun of Urban Village Church to discuss their hopes for Chicago's mayor Brandon Johnson.

Pride Month

CRS recognizes the importance of working in the LGBTQIA+ space and addressing issues of intersectionality. This recognition is part of a broader shift in the field of social justice, which has increasingly acknowledged the importance of considering multiple intersecting forms of identity and oppression. It's a testament to our commitment to justice, equity, and human rights. Throughout the month of June, CRS hosted many Pride events, including Does the Church Love Us?, Trans 101, and Pride & Poetry.

Juneteenth

In honor of Juneteenth, CRS shared a toolkit highlighting key ways to learn about, support and empower Black communities. This toolkit also provides a list of essential reading, updates about recent work in our community on reparations, Black-owned businesses in Chicago, and key campaigns to get involved in.

Together, We Win!

Watch the full 140th Annual Membership Assembly Together, We Win! video.

Financials

Expenses

  • Program Services: $1,330,122

  • Support Services: $569,260

Total Expense: $1,899,382

Contributed Revenue

  • Individual Contributions: $66,575

  • Member Congregation Dues, Nonprofit Donations: $46,392

  • Corporate and Nonprofit Contributions: $7,875

  • Foundation Grants: $350,080

Other Revenue

  • Endowment Distributions: $1,998,243

  • Interest designated for Operations: $41,919

  • Gain from extinguishment of debt: $356,952

  • Publication Sales: $246

Total Revenue: $2,868,284

Thank You to Our Partners!

Coalitions & Community Organizations

  • Bogan High School, Marilen Corres

  • Chicago Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr. Brad Braxton

  • Coalition to End Money Bond

  • CPD Consent Decree Coalition

  • Empowering Communities for Public Safety Coalition

  • Grassroots Alliance for Police Accountability

  • McCormick Seminary

  • Women’s All Points Bulletin, Crista Noel

Foundations and Funders

  • Chicago Community Bond Fund

  • Field Foundation

  • GAPA Coalition Funders

  • MacArthur Foundation

  • Foundation to Promote Open Society

  • Woods Fund of Chicago

Thank you to our member congregations and individual donors.
We could not accomplish what we do without your financial support.

Become a CRS Sustainer by donating monthly and consider including CRS in your estate plan.

Community Renewal Society Staff Members

EXECUTIVE

Rev. Dr. Waltrina N. Middleton
Executive Director

ADMINISTRATION
Liz Kloster
Cassandra McClendon
Bria Taylor

HUMAN RESOURCES AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Rev. Dr. Ebony Only
Jim Trapp

DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS

Tatum Causey
Jamel Garnder
Tyla Gross
Chris Groza
Catherine Hegarty

POLICY AND ORGANIZING

Terrell Barnes
Keron Blair
Larry Dean
Kwyn Townsend Riley
Rev. Erica Williams
Karen Arewa Winters

THE CHICAGO REPORTER

Hugo Balta
Relana Johnson
Cecilia Milmoe
Glenn Reedus
L. Nicole Trottie

INTERNS

Nour Al Hajjeh
Katie Masano Hill
Zachary Leiter
Mackenzie Tatananni

Community Renewal Society Board of Directors

  • Ibiyinka (Ibi) Aboyade-Cole

  • Rev. Avalon Betts-Gaston

  • Wil Boone 

  • Juanita Bradley 

  • Glenn Brewer 

  • Daryle Brown 

  • Dr. Ulysses Burley III 

  • Rev. Molly Carlson 

  • Rev. Dr. Lillian Daniel 

  • Rev. Dr. Carmin A. Frederick-James

  • Beth Johnson

  • Rev. Dr. Aaron J. McLeod

  • Rev. Richard Mosley, Jr.

  • Rev. Dr. Terrill Murff 

  • Charles Perry 

  • Dr. Christophe Ringer 

  • Rev. Brandyn Simmons

  • Rev. Anthony W. Sullivan Jr. 

  • Carrie Thomas 

  • Kevin Tyson

Community Renewal Society Member Congregations

  • Bethel United Church of Christ, Elmhurst

  • Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church

  • Christ Church United Church of Christ, Des Plaines

  • Clair-Christian United Methodist Church, Chicago

  • Congregational United Church of Christ of Arlington Heights

  • First Baptist Congregational Church

  • First Church of Lombard United Church of Christ

  • First Congregational Church of La Grange

  • First Congregational Church of Wilmette

  • First Congregational United Church of Christ of Naperville

  • First Congregational United Church of Christ of Waukegan

  • First Unitarian Church of Chicago

  • First United Church of Oak Park

  • First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights

  • First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple

  • Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago

  • Glenview Community Church

  • Grace Lutheran Church, Evanston

  • Grace United Church of Christ

  • Highlands Presbyterian Church

  • Kenwood United Church of Christ, Chicago

  • Lincoln United Methodist Church

  • Luther Memorial Church

  • North Shore Unitarian Church

  • Northfield Community Church

  • Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, Arlington Heights 

  • Pilgrim United Church of Christ, Oak Park

  • Prince of Peace United Methodist Church, Elk Grove Village

  • San Lucas United Church of Christ, Chicago

  • Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago

  • Second Unitarian Church of Chicago

  • Southminster Presbyterian Church, Arlington Heights

  • St. Paul United Church of Christ, Barrington

  • Third Unitarian Church of Chicago

  • Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago

  • Unitarian Church of Evanston

  • Unity Temple, Oak Park

  • University Church of Hyde Park, Chicago

  • Urban Village Church, Chicago and River Forest

  • Westchester Community Church

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