• Home
  • About
    • Overview
    • History
    • Services
    • Benefits
    • Staff & Board
  • Donate
    • Our Donors
  • Help
    • Volunteer
    • Wish List
    • Donate
  • Stories
    • Our Stories
    • Latest News
    • Newsletters
    • Outreach
RENASCENCE INC
  • Home
  • About
    • Overview
    • History
    • Services
    • Benefits
    • Staff & Board
  • Donate
    • Our Donors
  • Help
    • Volunteer
    • Wish List
    • Donate
  • Stories
    • Our Stories
    • Latest News
    • Newsletters
    • Outreach

Latest News

Get the latest on events, fundraising, and new programs at Renascence, Inc.

Thank You, Susan

Picture
In August, Susan Hunt Sims resigned her position as Executive Director of Renascence, in order for her and her husband to move to Birmingham to be close to their immediate families. We are grateful for her many positive contributions, both in personal relations with our clients and partners and supporters and in organizational, physical, and technical improvements. Our best wishes go with Susan and Robbins in their lives ahead together.

Susan wrote the following as part of her departure letter to friends of Renascence. Click here for the entire letter.

"I started working for Renascence almost two years ago with the hope and prayer that I could make a positive impact on the residents who lived there. I didn’t know what was in store for me then, but I knew there would be challenges as well as joys. Since then, I have come to understand what a privilege it is to come alongside the men who call Renascence home. As I listened to their stories, what was most clear is that they are all unique, their backgrounds are often complex, and all their stories are compelling. These lessons will stay with me forever. The men have impacted me more than I could possibly have had an impact on them! I am a better person for having worked at Renascence and meeting everyone there."

Gift Hope 2022: A Holiday Opportunity to Support Renascence

Picture
This year, Renascence is participating in Gift Hope 2022, a Christmas-time event conducted by First United Methodist church (FUMC) of Montgomery to raise funds for 33 River Region non-profits, including ours, and to educate the community about the work these organizations do. The FUMC Church and Society has organized this one-stop shopping opportunity for purchasing services and items benefitting the clients these organizations serve.
 
Gifts are available at a variety of price points from $5 to $50. The shopper can also give an individual personal donation.
 
There are two ways to participate: by attending the Gift Hope Event on December 3 from 10:00 to noon at Cloverdale Park across from FUMC, and/or by shopping online from November 20 through December 6 at the shopping page on the Gift Hope website, https://fumcmontgomery.org/gifthope/.
 
Please visit this website and make Gift Hope 2022 an important stop on your Christmas shopping; our residents will deeply appreciate your support.

Renascence 2021 Annual Report

2021 Annual Report coverPicture
2021 was a year of challenges and opportunities, and Renascence came through in good programmatic and financial condition. This was made possible by the generous support and encouragement of individual donors, along with foundation grants and CARES Act relief funds. We are thankful and hope to continue much-needed re-entry services for many years to come.

<Click on the cover to read the entire report.

Former Renascence Resident Featured at ABPP Event

On April 22, the Alabama Bureau of Pardons and Paroles (ABPP) held an event at the bureau’s Montgomery Day Reporting Center (DRC) to make the case for expanding beyond the current five centers statewide.
 
AABP director Cam Ward pointed to one representative success story: Samuel Huntington, a graduate of the Montgomery center.
 
Samuel is also a Renascence success story, having been a resident from March 2020 to March 2021. He is now a Peer Support Specialist for R.O.S.S., the Recovery Organization of Support Specialists. Learn more about R.O.S.S here.
 
For more on Samuel and what the Day Reporting Centers do, check out this Alabama Political Reporter article and the WSFA 12 News report.
Samuel Huntington at podium
Samuel Huntington tells his story at the ABPP event
Cam Ward and John Pickens shaking hands
ABPP director Cam Ward (left) welcomes Renascence board member John Pickens

Renascence 2020 Annual Report

2020 Annual Report cover
2020 brought a unique set of challenges and stresses for so many of us. It was a year that we all collectively navigated with strength and grace for our residents and one another.
The restrictions imposed in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were hard on our residents, especially those newly released who were anxious to spend time with their families. Our resident population shrank due to the closing of prison doors during the pandemic, on top of the drastic reduction of parole hearings in the second half of 2019. As with many small organizations, our income decreased, and we made the difficult yet necessary decision to cancel our annual fundraising event.
However, like so many things, when challenges are faced, we often find silver linings and emerge more resilient. We brought on a full-time Program Manager, Susan Hunt, in August and had a number of incremental wins that have allowed our small organization to continue carrying out our mission despite these uncertain times.

<Click on the cover to read the entire report.

New Program Director

Program Manager Susan Hunt
We at Renascence happily welcome Susan Hunt as our Program Manager. She brings a passion for social justice and 20 years of experience as a project manager and facilitator and as a small-group trainer and presenter. She is proficient in office software. What she lacks in direct experience with the criminal justice system, we are confident she will make up with her quick intelligence and excellent interpersonal skills. Susan has already begun to build positive relationships with Renascence residents, staff, and constituents.  
Joe Crowley
President, Renascence Board of Directors

Susan is a native of Birmingham. She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering. After working in that field for a few years, she heard a call into full-time Christian ministry. This took her to Oklahoma City where she served in several capacities with the United Methodist Church.
In Oklahoma, she worked with many nonprofit agencies and gained more of a passion for social justice and for Christian Mission. Susan returned to Alabama in January 2009 to serve as the Director of Mission and Advocacy of the Alabama-West Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church for over 11 years.
Susan lives in Montgomery and is a member at Montgomery First United Methodist Church and the Junior League of Montgomery.

Renascence 2019 Annual Report

2019 Annual Report cover
2019 has been a good year for Renascence. With the support of our competent, dedicated staff and Board members and you, our friends and donors, we together continue to provide safe, affordable housing, a structured program, and communal support for men coming out of prison on parole. We examine honestly what we are doing for the men and make improvements as we can.

<Click on the cover to read the entire report.

Renascence on GuideStar

Renascence has provided information to GuideStar, a leading service reporting on U.S. nonprofit companies and has qualified for their highest seal of transparency: Platinum. Millions of people use GuideStar information to make decisions about nonprofits and the work they do.
Click on the seal to see our complete GuideStar profile.

2019 Ping Pong Tournament

April 3, 2019

The 2019 Ping Pong Tournament, like its three predecessors, was a resounding success.

Over 40 players, pre-registered or walk-ins, got lots of playing time: eagerly volleying while awaiting bracketing assignments, while waiting for their next opponent, even after they were eliminated! Everyone had fun: families with young children, senior advanced players, a man in a wheelchair who came to learn how to play, and a man who came—for the second year—from Panama City to join his veteran buddies. DJ Brandon Bender kept the music lively, door prizes surprised participants, and the concession stand did a lively business. Check out the photos below.

On top of that, the proceeds from generous sponsorships, preview-party donations, and silent auction netted nearly $19,000 in support of the Renascence program—several thousand more than any previous year!

Make plans for the 2020 tournament, the first Saturday in March!

Job Opening: Program Manager

March 25, 2019

Renascence. Inc., a Montgomery, Alabama, nonprofit residential reentry program for male ex-offenders, seeks a part-time program manager. Education and experience in relevant field (criminal justice, social work, counseling) important. Experience with Corrections, Paroles and ex-offenders highly desirable. Strong leadership, management and communications (oral and written) skills essential. Responsibilities include nonprofit management (program, budget, staff) and resident management. Part-time position for six months, starting at $20,000, with the possibility of renewal or long-term employment after six months. Please submit cover letter with resume and references to renasenceinc@outlook.com by 5 p.m., May 10, 2019.

Staff Update

March 18, 2019

In December, Executive Director Ty Pelham departed Renascence to take another position. In his absence, board president Nelson Smith has voluntarily stepped in as interim executive director; his office hours are 7 am to 3 pm Monday through Friday. Board member Joe Crowley ably fills in for Smitty when he is absent.
 
In this interim period, the Board of Directors has reviewed and scaled down the job description, re-titling it Program Manager, making it a part-time position, and focusing the position specifically around program administration and oversight. Fund raising and public relations, customarily among executive director responsibilities, will fall to the board. This revision will tighten the position’s focus while saving money on salary. Anyone interested in applying for Program Manager may inquire at the Renascence office, 334-832-1402, or email his or her inquiry and resume to renascenceinc@outlook.com.
 
We thank Ty for his able service to Renascence and wish him well in his new position. We look forward to filling the Program Manager’s position this spring.

Thanks Ty

Image of Ty Pelham
December 19, 2018

Renascence wishes to announce the following staffing change:
Ty Pelham, our Executive Director, is departing immediately to take another position. Nelson Smith, Renascence Board Chair, will fill in as interim executive director until a replacement is selected.

We thank Ty for his hard work and faithful service to Renascence and wish him the very best in his new position.


Third Annual Benefit Ping Pong Tournament a Success

Image of volunteer with Ping Pong Tournament welcome sign
March 15, 2018

Renascence’s Third Annual Benefit Ping Pong Tournament, held March 2-3, 2018 at Alcazar Shrine Center in Montgomery, was a great success. Participation at both the Preview Party on Friday night and Tournament on Saturday were at or near record levels. The two-day event earned a substantial profit of $15,372.80. 
 
On Friday night, everyone enjoyed great music by Lo Fi Loungers and delicious food by Debbie Kemsel Catering. Folks also enjoyed browsing and bidding on items in the fabulous Silent Auction, getting photographed at Gwen Moore’s Fun Photo Booth, and playing some ping pong. 
 
The Saturday Tournament saw 57 players of all ages and abilities engage in spirited competition.  Results were as follows:
Youth: Champ: Danny Trock; Runner-up: Riley Covert
Teen, Beginner: Champ: Ann Mary Varghese; Runner-up: Alex Varghese
Teen, Intermediate: Champ: Aija Kosmrlj; Runner-up: Reid Roberts
Adult, Beginner: Champ: Shadrick Kagoro; Runner-up: Tiabet Essiet
Adult, Intermediate: Champ: Naj Kosmrlj; Runner-up: Vikas Gupta
Senior, Beginner: Champ: Guy Shores; Runner-up: Dennis Romana
Senior, Intermediate: Champ: Philip Sorenson; Runner-up: Patrick Bianchi
Senior, Advanced: Champ: Phil Dillard; Runner-up: Dan Bradshaw
 
Recognition for the group bringing the largest number of players (and a cheering section) goes to the Capitol Heights United Methodist Youth Group.
 
The success of this event would not have been possible without the support of our thirty generous and dedicated sponsors, to whom we offer our profound thanks. A big thank you also goes to our hard working Ping Pong Committee, whose diligence and creativity made the Tournament truly fun for all. 

Click for tournament photos
Picture

​Assisting in the transition of male ex-offenders from prison to a successful reintegration into the local community.

​215 Clayton Street
Montgomery, Alabama 36104

Phone (334) 832-1402
Fax (334) 832-2927
Email renascenceinc@outlook.com

DONATE NOW
NEWSLETTER
Picture
  • Home
  • About
    • Overview
    • History
    • Services
    • Benefits
    • Staff & Board
  • Donate
    • Our Donors
  • Help
    • Volunteer
    • Wish List
    • Donate
  • Stories
    • Our Stories
    • Latest News
    • Newsletters
    • Outreach