The Renaissance Collaborative, Inc. (TRC) was started by a group of community leaders who came together to save the historic Wabash YMCA. Senior pastors from Quinn Chapel, AME, Apostolic Faith, St. Elizabeth Roman Catholic, and St. Thomas Episcopal along with Patricia Abrams, founding Executive Director, formed TRC as a 501(c)3 agency in 1992. They believed the only way to end homelessness was one person at a time; making a difference in someone's life by providing them with the resources they need to construct a better life for themselves and where possible, in becoming self- sufficient.

Today, The Renaissance Collaborative developed and currently manages 172 apartment units, having added in 2010 a 71-unit senior housing facility to augment the Wabash building. At both facilities, TRC is committed to reducing the energy use and costs as a strategy to free up revenue so that it may focus on its primary housing mission. To this end, TRC has worked with the State of Illinois in developing an energy conversation and efficiency initiative and in securing grants to perform the work. These initial efforts have made TRC’s two buildings more energy efficient. The agency continues to plan and implement additional energy improvements.