From Left to Right: Bob Alderson, G.H. Chuck Charlebois, Debbie Lavergne, HRSD, Jeannie Parent, Gertie Ottoni, BoB Kilger MP, Charlene Maclennan Lyne Payette

Groupe Renaissance Group is celebrating a milestone month with a new home and some new money, both of which were unveiled to the community on Thursday. "We never thought it would grow like this," said Renaissance mastermind Chuck Charlebois at the unveiling of the organizations new home on Montreal Road. Thanks to the work of Charlebois and other volunteers, and the support of many others, Renaissance has grown to become a jewel in our community and the envy of many others.

Renaissance's goal of revitalizing the community is certainly a necessity, and, some may say ahead of its time. While other municipalities across Canada continue to struggle with determining how to handle abandoned buildings and wasted lands, Renaissance has already undertaken numerous projects in the city to renew and revitalize numerous buildings and lands through various partnerships.

The biggest item on the table right now is the mega-million-dollar project to convert one of the cotton mill buildings into loft apartments. There was a bit of irony to the announcement as both are renewal projects. Renaissance actually formed a partnership with the landowners - the Kolbinger family - in which they provided the materials, and Renaissance volunteers did the work. In the process, Renaissance basically gutted the former Sizzler's Kitchen and transformed it into a stylish, modern office. A revitalization project on its own.

And the $400,000 Human Resources Development Canada grant will give 10 unemployed individuals a chance to renew their work skills over a one-year period, with the ultimate goal of seeing them return to the work force following the project.

Once again, a renewal project of sorts in its own right. Renaissance no doubt has a reason to celebrate. It has a new office to centralize operations from, and it has a new group of workers who will only help make the organization stronger as they move along.