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TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP IN UNDER RESOURCED COMMUNITIES

MATTHEW HOMES - RENEW IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION SEEKING TO PROMOTE AND ACCELERATE REVITALIZATION IN THE CITY OF NORTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, THROUGH ITS AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM, CALLED MATTHEW HOMES. RENEW'S GOAL IS TO INCREASE AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP FOR 300 FAMILIES AND ENCOURAGE FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND COMMUNITY. TO DATE, RENEW HAS FACILITATED THE PURCHASE AND COMPLETION OF A DOZEN MATTHEW HOMES AND WORK IS UNDERWAY ON 10 MORE (3 RENOVATIONS AND 7 NEW BUILDS). RENEW ALSO HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY TO PUT IN PLACE PROCESSES AND AN OPERATING STRUCTURE THAT WILL SUPPORT A SIGNIFICANT ACCELERATION OF OUR MATTHEW HOME PROGRAM OVER THE NEXT 3 YEARS, ALLOWING US TO RAMP UP PROPERTY ACQUISITIONS, RENOVATIONS, AND NEW CONSTRUCTION. MATTHEW HOME NEW BUILDS ARE DESIGNED BY LEADING EXPERTS ON THE RENEW TEAM AND FEATURE FULL BASEMENTS, 3 BEDROOMS, 2 FULL BATHROOMS AND A 2-CAR GARAGE. RENEW HAS A SIGNIFICANT MATTHEW HOME OUTREACH PROGRAM, ATTRACTING QUALITY AND EXPERT VOLUNTEERS FROM THE COMMUNITY, NEIGHBORING AREAS, CHURCHES, AND BUSINESSES. THE MATTHEW HOME TEAM ALSO WORKS CLOSELY WITH THE CITY OF NORTH CHICAGO STAFF, LOCAL CONTRACTORS AND THIRD-PARTY HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS IN THE ACCESS AND DEVELOPMENT OF VIABLE PROPERTIES. ADDITIONALLY, AFFORDABLE HOMES AND A QUALITY SCHOOL SYSTEM IS INTEGRAL TO RETAINING AND ATTRACTING ENGAGED FAMILIES IN THE COMMUNITY. THEREFORE, RENEW'S MATTHEW HOMES PROGRAM IS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS WHO IS ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN DEVELOPING QUALITY PROGRAMS, ATTRACTING GREAT TEACHERS AND STAFF AND WORKING TO INSPIRE STUDENTS AND BUILD STRONG COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - RENEW IS WORKING TO BUILD A SENSE OF COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY. RENEW HAS COLLABORATED WITH THE CITY, PARK DISTRICT, SCHOOLS, LOCAL NON-PROFITS, CHURCHES, LOCAL BUSINESSES, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR PROJECTS INCLUDING PAINTING HALLWAYS IN CITY HALL, CREATING MURALS FOR KIDS IN AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, ASSISTING AN ELDERLY COUPLE WITH A FLOODED BASEMENT, COLLABORATING WITH OTHER NON-PROFITS, HOSTING NETWORKING BREAKFASTS WITH LOCAL LEADERS, LOTS OF VOLUNTEER HOURS, BUILDING A GAZEBO IN THE PARK, CLEARING TREES TO OPEN A VIEW TO LAKE MICHIGAN, AND HOSTING A COMMUNITY PICNIC AT THE LOCAL PARK. IN ADDITION, CURRENT MATTHEW HOME OWNERS CONTINUE TO BUILD COMMUNITY WITH NEIGHBORS AROUND THEIR HOMES AND WITH EACH OTHER. MANY OF THE MATTHEW HOME OWNERS ARE SERVING AND CONTRIBUTING IN VARIOUS WAYS IN NORTH CHICAGO.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT - RENEW'S FOCUS IS HELPING EXISTING SMALL BUSINESSES GROW AND BY EXTENSION PROVIDE JOBS. RENEW'S BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND JOBS TEAM OFFERS COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTING IN THE FOUR KEY AREAS OF FINANCE, MARKETING, HUMAN RESOURCES CONSULTING, AND EXECUTIVE COACHING. THE TEAM ALSO: 1) WORKS WITH LOCAL SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE HOUSING TRADES WHILE OFFERING MENTORING IN HOW TO GROW THEIR BUSINESSES; 2) MEETS REGULARLY WITH NORTH CHICAGO STAFF, CHAMBER PRESIDENT, AND ALDERMAN TO DISCOVER SMALL BUSINESSES TO ASSIST, AND 3) WORKS CLOSELY WITH YOUTHBUILD OF LAKE COUNTY AND THE NORTH CHICAGO HIGH SCHOOL TO MENTOR STUDENTS AND ASSIST IN SUMMER INTERNSHIPS.