Since 1997, Renascence has grown from a small group of people that saw a problem to an organization that has significant positive impact on people’s lives and on our state.
The Renascence Story
Beginnings
Renascence Re-Entry began in 1997 with a group of people led by Susan Douglass Porter and concerned about the shortage of suitable housing in Montgomery for men released from incarceration. Under the umbrella of the prisoner advocacy nonprofit Alabama Prison Project, the group acquired a Victorian boarding house in downtown Montgomery (215 Clayton Street) for use as a transitional home. Renascence won the support of the neighborhood, and in June 1999 the City of Montgomery granted the required zoning variance.
In 2002 and 2003, Renascence formed a board of directors, became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, purchased the house and property from the Alabama Prison Project, and moved its operations to offices there. The board hired James Walden as its first executive director. Jim had successfully transitioned from prison and addiction to graduation from Auburn University Montgomery, and then worked as a drug treatment counselor in the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Adding Staff and Support
Between 2004 and 2006, executive assistant Shelagh Morrison, house manager Dereck Wise, and program coordinator Dana Dunklin joined the staff. A diverse, competent board of directors, many committed volunteers, and growing community involvement supported the project.
Making a Home
Beginning in 1999, a seven-year project renovated the house. Volunteers at 18 workdays did internal demolition and general cleanup. Workers repaired or replaced much of the roof and repaired and repainted the exterior. In 2005 and 2006, two successive HUD HOME Investment Partnership Program grants through the City of Montgomery funded major interior renovations.
Accepting Residents
In September 2006, Renascence began providing transitional shelter and supportive services to residents—accommodating up to 12 men at one time. We expanded our capacity to 14 men in 2018. Since opening, Renascence has been a home for over 305 men.
Changing Staff
In 2007, cancer took Jim Walden’s life. Dana Dunklin succeeded him as executive director and able spokesperson for the program. In 2009, Dereck Wise became house supervisor. In 2013, Alan Smith became executive director. Under his leadership, the program’s financial condition was strengthened, and the house ran full or near full, with a considerable waiting list. Bookkeeper Deborah Shehane joined the staff in 2014 as an able executive assistant.
New Directions
In 2017, Tyrone Pelham succeeded Alan as executive director. Ty brought with him twenty years of experience as director of a local nonprofit (MARC) that provides residential services for the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Renascence is moving in the same direction: the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles will begin paying to provide halfway house services for parolees assigned to us. When finalized, this arrangement will provide a long-needed, stable funding stream.
Renascence Re-Entry began in 1997 with a group of people led by Susan Douglass Porter and concerned about the shortage of suitable housing in Montgomery for men released from incarceration. Under the umbrella of the prisoner advocacy nonprofit Alabama Prison Project, the group acquired a Victorian boarding house in downtown Montgomery (215 Clayton Street) for use as a transitional home. Renascence won the support of the neighborhood, and in June 1999 the City of Montgomery granted the required zoning variance.
In 2002 and 2003, Renascence formed a board of directors, became an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, purchased the house and property from the Alabama Prison Project, and moved its operations to offices there. The board hired James Walden as its first executive director. Jim had successfully transitioned from prison and addiction to graduation from Auburn University Montgomery, and then worked as a drug treatment counselor in the Alabama Department of Corrections.
Adding Staff and Support
Between 2004 and 2006, executive assistant Shelagh Morrison, house manager Dereck Wise, and program coordinator Dana Dunklin joined the staff. A diverse, competent board of directors, many committed volunteers, and growing community involvement supported the project.
Making a Home
Beginning in 1999, a seven-year project renovated the house. Volunteers at 18 workdays did internal demolition and general cleanup. Workers repaired or replaced much of the roof and repaired and repainted the exterior. In 2005 and 2006, two successive HUD HOME Investment Partnership Program grants through the City of Montgomery funded major interior renovations.
Accepting Residents
In September 2006, Renascence began providing transitional shelter and supportive services to residents—accommodating up to 12 men at one time. We expanded our capacity to 14 men in 2018. Since opening, Renascence has been a home for over 305 men.
Changing Staff
In 2007, cancer took Jim Walden’s life. Dana Dunklin succeeded him as executive director and able spokesperson for the program. In 2009, Dereck Wise became house supervisor. In 2013, Alan Smith became executive director. Under his leadership, the program’s financial condition was strengthened, and the house ran full or near full, with a considerable waiting list. Bookkeeper Deborah Shehane joined the staff in 2014 as an able executive assistant.
New Directions
In 2017, Tyrone Pelham succeeded Alan as executive director. Ty brought with him twenty years of experience as director of a local nonprofit (MARC) that provides residential services for the Alabama Department of Mental Health. Renascence is moving in the same direction: the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles will begin paying to provide halfway house services for parolees assigned to us. When finalized, this arrangement will provide a long-needed, stable funding stream.
“A nation is formed by the willingness of each of us to share in the responsibility for upholding the common good.”
—Barbara Jordan
