2020 - What a Year It Was! |
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The year 2020 will go down in the history books as one of the most memorable in this century, and definitely one of the most challenging for Renaissance Community Loan Fund. We encountered many hurdles, but our team overcame them and successfully adapted our processes in order to continue our mission and end the year successfully.
Renaissance's clients used 2020 to prove how resilient and determined they are to reach their dreams no matter what. We surpassed 2019 in the number of clients who became homeowners and the number of small businesses and entrepreneurs who we assisted with business loans. We are proud of our team and our clients for working together through difficult times to reach their goals. We can't wait to see the smiling faces of our clients and community partners in person again!
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Keeping Success in the Family |
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Anthony and Eddie Seal grew up around the auto industry with a father who worked for auto dealerships for most of their lives. Although it’s no surprise that they both gravitated to working in the auto industry as adults, it was definitely a pleasant surprise that both saw their dreams fulfilled as small business owners in the auto industry in 2020.
Each Seal brother received a small business loan through Renaissance’s commercial lending department. With secure funding and an entrepreneurial drive, Seal’s Tire & Auto Repair opened in Gulfport, MS in March and Eddie Seal’s Auto Service Center opened in Long Beach, MS in August. Congratulations to the Seal brothers for continuing the family tradition of excellent customer service in the auto industry and allowing Renaissance to be part of their success!
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Mississippi Small Business Doing Big Things in DC |
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Forget Me Not Florist's Theresa Cuevas and her daughter had an exciting 2020, as they were chosen as part of the team decorating the White House for Christmas. The mother/daughter duo never imagined they would be doing what they love in one of the country’s most famous houses. Cuevas said they were honored to be a part of such a talented group of volunteers from around the country. Thanks to Theresa and Forget Me Not for making Renaissance and Mississippi proud by representing so well in DC!
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If One Door Closes, Just Build Your Own Doors |
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The Melt Bistro's Josh Houeye and his business partner, Megan Hearn, started selling bubble tea out of tents at festivals and area fairs until the pandemic led to the cancellation of many public events. With the lack of events available to sell their product, they made the move to open their own shop in Picayune and began to work with Renaissance for financial assistance. Their strong entrepreneurial spirit and hard work turned a small idea into a thriving business. The Melt currently employs seven people, and plans are already underway to expand!
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Persevering Until She Reached Her Dream |
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Trista Shegog always wanted to become a homeowner but wasn’t sure where to start. She was browsing Instagram a few years ago and discovered Renaissance. “Renaissance gave me hope for becoming a homeowner. I was able to improve my credit score and save money. They communicated every step of the way.” Trista not only received financial and credit counseling, she was also able to utilize down payment assistance in the purchase of her home.
“Renaissance has had a huge impact on my life. Two years ago, they gave me a chance to work towards my dream and now I’m a homeowner. It has been a very good experience.”
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Turning Her Dreams Into Reality
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Renaissance Home Purchase Advisor, Gladimil Malave with her sister and new homeowner, Reniza Malave. |
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Reniza Malave wanted to own her own home and learn how to be financially stable. “Becoming a homeowner changed my way of seeing things. My self-esteem improved and I was able to see that my dream was not just a dream,” said Malave.
She turned to Renaissance a year ago on the recommendation of her sister, Gladimil, a Renaissance Home Purchase Advisor. “The experience was amazing. Tamara, Margaret, and Melinda kept me in the loop with updates and helped me understand the process.” Malave also benefitted from Renaissance's down payment assistance.
“Buying my home taught me that nothing is impossible when you set a goal - Don’t give up!" Malave said.
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Dedicated to Reaching Her Goals |
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Ashley Sproulls wanted to do something for herself and invest in her future. “Buying my home wasn’t just to say I was a homeowner, it was a major step to prove to myself that if I put my mind to something, work hard, and speak it into existence I could manifest it,” said Sproulls.
She turned to Renaissance through a recommendation from Integrity Mortgage. “Everyone was very helpful and encouraging especially Tamara and Margaret. Renaissance helped me understand the importance of my investment. Taking the homeowners course was very insightful.”
"Being a homeowner means that I have somewhere that I can lay my head at night and feel proud. It shows me just how dedicated I am when I truly put my heart into reaching my goals," said Sproulls.
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Myrick's Invaluable Leadership |
Gordon Myrick, an original member of Renaissance's Board of Directors, has retired from the Board after 13 years. Gordon has been with the organization since the beginning and has been instrumental in leading Renaissance's growth and expansion of services across the entire state. His leadership skills, combined with his love for helping non-profits thrive, has made him a wonderful asset, and we will greatly miss him. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the RCLF team, we want to say thank you to Gordon for all you did to contribute to RCLF's success. |
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Marlin Named Top 40 Under 40 |
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John-Michael Marlin, Renaissance's Director of Lending, earned a spot in the prestigious Top 40 Under 40 in Tupelo. John Michael leads the commercial lending team and was recognized for his passion in helping small businesses and entrepreneurs see their dreams come to life. He enjoys working one-on-one with clients, many of whom receive extensive coaching from him while starting a business. Congratulations, John-Michael! |
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Renaissance was honored in 2020 to be accepted to the exclusive Housing Partnership Network (HPN). HPN is an network of 100 top-performing nonprofit housing developers, owners and financial institutions in the US. Being invited to join such a high quality group with a shared mission of helping people gain access to affordable homes and offer economic opportunity is a huge honor. As part of the network, we can leverage our collective talent to achieve more together for the most impact for those who need it.
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Free Classes to Improve Your Financial Wellness |
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Are you ready to take charge of your financial future?
Would you like a better understanding of personal financial goals?
We have a solution!
Renaissance’s Financial Fitness (FinFit) for Life class helps you find ways to take charge of your financial decisions. FinFit is designed to help attendees develop a financial plan and learn the tools necessary to achieve their goals.
To register for a free Zoom classr, simply click your choice below.
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