Congregational and Partner Awards
Community Renewal Society recognizes leaders, congregations and legislators for their exceptional commitment to addressing racism and poverty at the Annual Membership Assembly.
Past Congregational and Partner Awards
Yvonne V. Delk Moral Courage Legacy Award: Given to a trailblazer, visionary and advocate for human rights displaying integrity and courage.
John Purdy, Sr. Memorial Leadership Award: presented to a person who embodies the meaning of justice and faith in action.
City on the Hill Award: 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.
Partner Award: presented to individuals who embody extraordinary partnership in any of our campaigns.
Legislative Lighthouse: recognizes a trailblazer and intentional legislative partner who championed the issues affecting our communities.
Memorial/Cloud of Witness Award: honors CRS leaders who put their faith in action during their lifetime.
2021
Inaugural Yvonne V. Delk Moral Courage Legacy Award – Rev. Dr. Jorges Morales and Anjanette Young
John Purdy, Sr. Memorial Leadership Award – Rev. Jason Coulter, Rev. Ronald Howell, Kim L. Hunt and Jia Johnson
The City on the Hill Award – Christ Universal Temple and McCormick Theological Seminary
Partner Award – Empowering Communities for Public Safety (ECPS). Organizations include Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression (CAARPR), Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), SEIU Health, Jewish Council on Urban Affairs (JCUS), Target Area, One Northside, and Inner-City Muslim Action Network (IMAN).
Coalition to End Money Bond. Organizations include Believers Bail Out, Chicago Metropolitan Association of the Illinois Conference of the United Church of Christ, Illinois Justice Project, The People’s Lobby, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Illinois, Nehemiah Trinity Rising, Workers Center for Racial Justice, Southsiders Organized for Unity and Liberation (SOUL), Shriver Center on Poverty Law, Chicago Community Bond Fund, Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts, The Nest Movement and A Just Harvest
Legislative Lighthouse Award – Illinois Senator Robert Peters
2020
Inaugural Yvonne V. Delk Moral Courage Legacy Award – Rev. Dr. Yvonne V. Delk
John Purdy, Sr. Memorial Leadership Award – Dr. Sammie Dortch (posthumously)
Partner Award – Allison Anderson, Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Triche Atkins, and Chuck Ruth
2019
John Purdy, Sr. Memorial Leadership Award – Bishop Sally Dyck & the Northern Illinois Conference of the United Methodist Church
City on the Hill Award – Old Saint Patricks’ Church
Legislative Lighthouse Award – Representative Curtis J. Tarver, II
Partner Award – Chicago Police Consent Decree Community Coalition: American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois, Communities United, Equip for Equality, NEXT STEPS NFP, and Organizing Neighborhoods for Equality (ONE): Northside
2018
John Purdy, Sr. Memorial Leadership Award – Terris "Terry" Clark
City on the Hill Award – Third Unitarian Church of Chicago
Legislative Lighthouse Award – State Senator Daniel Biss (D-9)
Partner Award – American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois (ACLU)
2017
John Purdy, Sr. Memorial Leadership Award – Cindy Greenwood & Karlos Lloyd
City on the Hill Award – Arlington Heights Faith in Action Team (St. John UCC, Southminster Presbyterian, First UMC, St. James Catholic Church, Our Savior Lutheran, Congregational UCC)
Legislative Lighthouse Award – Rep. David Harris
Memorial/Cloud of Witness Award – Marge Frens & Gale Lewis
2016
John Purdy, Sr. Memorial Leadership Award – Mazell Sykes
City on the Hill Award – Shiloh Baptist Church, Waukegan
Legislative Lighthouse Award – Rep. Camille Lilly
Partner Award – UMC Chicago Urban Strategy
2015
John Purdy, Sr. Memorial Leadership Award – Rev. Eddie L. Knox, Jr., D. Min., Pullman Presbyterian & Teleza Rogers, Way of Life International Church, FORCE member.
City on the Hill Award – Southminster Presbyterian Church
Legislative Lighthouse Award – Representative Kelly Cassidy
Partner Award – Beth Johnson, Cabrini Green Legal Aid/ Sam Tuttle, Heartland Alliance
2014
John Purdy, Sr. Memorial Leadership Award – Christina Rice
City on the Hill Award – New Landmark Missionary Baptist Church
Legislative Lighthouse Award – Senator Don Harmon
Partner Award – Ali Abid, Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice
2013
John Purdy, Sr. Memorial Leadership Award – Marlon Chamberlain
City on the Hill Award – Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Public Servant Lighthouse Award – Representative LaShawn K. Ford
2012
John Purdy Sr. Memorial Leadership Award - Father Larry Dowling
City on the Hill Award - Kingdom Baptist Church
Public Official Lighthouse Award - Alderman Walter Burnett
2011
John Purdy Sr. Memorial Leadership Award – Rev. Robert Biekman, Southlawn United Methodist Church
City on the Hill Award – Valor Faith Ministries
Public Official Lighthouse Award – Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, Michelle Saddler