The Resurrection Project
The Resurrection Project (TRP) is an institution-based neighborhood organization whose mission is to build relationships and challenge people to act on their faith and values to create healthy communities through organizing, education, and community development. Founded in 1990, the Resurrection Project was the result of grassroots organizing efforts of community leaders which created a coalition of six Pilsen neighborhoodCatholic churches. Today, the coalition includes 13 Catholic parishes: Assumption, Epiphany, Good Shepherd, Holy Trinity, Our Lady of Tepeyac, Providence of God, St. Adalbert, St. Agnes, St. Ann, St. Paul, St. Pius V., St. Procopius, and St. Roman.

TRP's staff member, Allison Nanni looks forward to welcoming the participants of the Peacebuilders Initiative. "It is so important that we invest in our future leaders. I look at this experience with the Peacebuilders Initiative as a great opportunity to influence the formation of tomorrow's leaders."

Through participating with TRP Peacebuilders Initiative leaders will be exposed to and assist in supporting the following focus areas of TRP:

Community Organizing: The Resurrection Project (TRP) develops new leadership and builds community by organizing through its member institutions and block club network. TRP prepares leaders to actively participate in both local and metropolitan wide issues, including education, healthcare and housing.

Homeownership Services: TRP educates families on property ownership issues and facilitates investment by residents and financial institutions into the community. TRP staff provides homeowner education, client counseling, loan packaging assistance, and oversees the marketing and sales of its New Homes program.

Asset Management: TRP develops and renovates rental property to meet the community's needs. TRP also oversees the physical, financial and tenant management of all its properties, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization's real estate projects. As part of its rental housing program, TRP provides supportive housing to formerly homeless women and their children. TRP's supportive housing program is one of the few bilingual/bicultural supportive housing programs in the city.

Economic Development: TRP is developing the economic capacity of community residents through an innovative approach to business and commercial development. The Resurrection Construction Cooperative provides entrepreneurial assistance to new and emerging construction-related businesses. TRP also works with local business owners in Pilsen to develop the economic capacity of its central business district along 18th Street. In addition, TRP develops and manages its commercial properties to further its long-term economic impact in the community.

TRP's Success Stories
Some of TRP's accomplishments include building 135 new homes for low and moderate income families (5 more under contract); renovating 12 buildings to create 156 affordable rental units; developing two childcare centers serving a total of 400 children; assisting 86 local contractors to begin, develop and expand their own construction businesses by giving out 116 loans, totaling over $2.2 million; closing over 300 new home, conventional, refinance, and home improvement loans; creating a bilingual second stage housing program homeless single mothers; and generating more than $ 65 million in community investment. (March 2003)

To learn more about The Resurrection Project, go to www.resurrectionproject.org.