Groupe Renaissance Group 10th Anniversary in 2008

Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Renaissance staff and volunteers are already well into planning their 10^th anniversary.

Planned Activities

• Complete the 2007-08 fundraiser activities
• Receive 400 US students who will take on some 50 community projects
• Revisit Renaissance mandate and determine the future for the organization
• Continue to work for façade improvement projects in concert with Heart of the City activities
• Continue to work on funding for the Renaissance Housing Rehabilitation Program
• Advocate for social and economic development in the Renaissance area.

In July 2007 both Le Village BIA/ZAC and Groupe Renaissance Group agreed to create a Newsletter.

This collaborative effort would serve to better inform the general public and our many supporters in our area.

This will be an economical way to reach those that wish to access our programs.

The first addition of this collaborative effort is now available.

Missions Connect to Participate in a Renovations Project.

This was the first year Missions Connect participated with Groupe Renaissance in Cornwall and area community renovation projects.

Eighty Adults and students from the United Stated completed eight community renovation projects.

Home owners that participated were truly impressed and very grateful to this Mission Connect volunteers.

Many home owners asked this Mission group if they would return to Cornwall in the future. Program managers responded they would do their best to return

Click here to see our photo albums.

Click here for information on how you can apply for assistance through the CHIRP program.

Pine Street & Area Workshops

As part of their 2006 work plan, the Renaissance Group (GRG) is proud to announce the formation of the Renaissance Pine Street Community Association (RPSCA).

This new group has met and formed a Residents Association. The next few months will see the group identify key needs in their area, bordered by Brookdale Avenue to Cumberland Street and Water to Second Street.

Response to date has been very positive. The initiative will consist of a series of 3 workshops to be held at the Royal Canadian Legion, 415 Second Street. Residents can choose to attend a workshop at any of the following times: October 25th - 2pm or 7pm or October 28th at 2pm. The workshops are being organized by Groupe Renaissance Community Project Coordinator, Carol White. Findings will be compiled and presented to residents for their approval. The Renaissance Pine Street Community Association will then formulate a five year plan.

For more information contact Bob Earle, President of Pine Street Residents Association, at 613-932-5349.

Domtar Departure ~ Sadness Yet a New Vision for Cornwall

It wasn't a complete shock given the state of the Canadian pulp and paper sector. Still, the closure of Domtar, after 125 years in Cornwall, was a difficult blow for this community of just under 50,000 nestled alongside the majestic St. Lawrence River. And yet, along with the predictable fallout that comes with a closing of this magnitude, a positive vision of the future is beginning to unfold. The property has been sold to a local group of business professionals who will shortly begin the process of dismantling the many buildings scattered throughout the 100 acre site. Enter Groupe Renaissance, an organization that has spearheaded a number of revitalization projects in the City's east end Le Village. With the help from University Architectural student, Janak Alford, a series of conceptual drawings have been presented to Cornwall City Council that offers a vision of what the site could become.

Chuck Charlebois, spokesman for Groupe Renaissance admits the drawings may be dismissed by some. By the same token, he asserts, they provide a start to what will become a lengthy journey. "You've got to have a vision," says Charlebois. "We offer this (the drawings) to the community as a vision." The exciting concept would see the waterfront property blossom with residential and commercial areas, schools, businesses, sports facilities and parklands. It also includes the re-opening of the canal as a recreational area for the community itself.

Cornwall's waterfront has seen spectacular growth over the past 20 years. Attractive condominiums overlook beautiful Lamoureux Park with its abundance of gardens, recreational pathways and bandshell. The Park is the scene of all manner of activities and events ranging from Arts in the Park to Lift-Off, a balloon festival that attracts close to 50,000 people each summer.

Heart of the City Grant (HOTC)

Groupe Renaissance Group (GRG) continues to work with main partners in the Heart of the City re funding, new legislation, new City of Cornwall bylaws and policies. An information package has now been prepared to accompany grant packages.

GRG was also able to qualify as an applicant for funds under this program. We await news on applications for:

• Rehabilitation and Development
• Façade and Heritage
• Municipal Planning, and
• Tipping Fees.

SERVICE CANADA and the ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION back Groupe Renaissance in "2006 NEW HOME PROJECT"

Groupe Renaissance is happy to announce their partnership with both Service Canada and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. This support in combination with the City of Cornwall and GRG's independent fundraising activities will provide enough funding to secure a new home office.

Watch for activity on Montreal Road as Service Canada Job Creation Program participants demolish an existing building and learn the skills of constructing a new 3 level office space building under the direction of Ray-Jans Construction.

Our Team

Groupe Renaissance	G.H. Chuck Charlebois President Carol White Community Project Coordinator
Ray-Jans Construction	Gary Jans Construction Project Manager Dan Roy Construction Project Foreman
Service Canada Job Opportunity Fund	Marie-Hélène St-Denis Administrative Assistant / Grant Specialist
Service Canada Job Creation Program	Mary Beauvais Administrative Assistant / Bookkeeper Lise Ranger Construction Laborer Eric Cuerrir Construction Laborer Pierre Bouvier Construction Laborer François Bissonnette Construction Laborer Mike Gibeau Construction Laborer Dale Murphy Construction Laborer

GROUP RENAISSANCE GROUP - HARD AT WORK

As always, Groupe Renaissance divided the balance of its time between filing applications for funding and the organization of approximately 80 new projects for 2006.

In addition to World Changers, GRG will welcome both Group Work Camps and the 7th Day Adventists to Cornwall to continue to provide assistance to the community. Get Ready for TRIPLE the FUN!

GRG actively participated in the planning of the Heart of the City Planning Project in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

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