Community Renewal

Community Renewal International (CRI) is a faith-driven 501(c)3 non-profit focused on combating the primary cause of social dysfunction: relational disconnection.

We unleash the power of caring relationships by focusing on three core strategies that reconnect diverse individuals and transform communities:

• We Care Teams: Align and mobilize caring individuals and organizations, activating them to build a truly caring community.

• We Care Neighbors: Enlist, equip, and activate volunteer block leaders, reestablishing the social fabric of their neighborhoods one street at a time.

• Friendship Houses: Restore "hope with a plan" in long-neglected neighborhoods by having dedicated teams live and serve directly within the community.

In neighborhoods where violence and fear once reigned, there is now safety and trust. Playgrounds are replacing battlegrounds. Former gang members and drug addicts are renewing their lives, returning to school, and giving back to the community instead of taking from it.

"Many people have had their dreams crushed and through the power of friendship we give them the courage to dream again," said Community Renewal Founder and Coordinator Mack McCarter.

Testimonials

● "I've seen myself grow in a lot of ways and I've overcome a lot of things. I am a brand new woman. I love to encourage people and do for others what people have done for me. I have the heart now to help anybody." - Pam Morgan, who now works for CRI as a Community Coordinator at an Allendale Friendship House.

● "The whole neighborhood is becoming like a family. People are not scared to come back into the neighborhood now and that's wonderful." - Abraham Gardner, Cedar Grove neighborhood resident.

● "Without the Friendship House, I could have been shot dead or be in jail." - Carl Hines, Friendship House graduate who grew up in a high-crime area and became a full-time employee for a local retailer.

● "The Friendship House is more than just a place to go after school. It's like a shelter from a terrible storm. I was a shy little boy who was afraid and now I've grown spiritually, physically and mentally. I could never be what I am today without the Friendship House." - Ja'Marjay Tooke, Friendship House graduate.

● "You may think there is no hope, but there is hope. You can't give up. I didn't know I would be smiling as much as I do now. I want the world to know there is hope!" - Ashlee Donnaud, Adult Renewal Academy graduate.

● "The ARA is making a 100 percent positive difference in my life. This gives me a job skill I can do at my own pace. And when I accomplish something I feel very proud." - Theresa Brown, ARA student who is learning the welding trade.

● "If you want to build lifelong relationships and lift people up and give them hope, then you partner with Community Renewal. That's how you change the world." - Lee Jeter, executive director, The Fuller Center for Housing of Northwest Louisiana.