• About Renew

    Renew is a faith-based nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering refugee women through employment, community, and creativity. Based in Glen Ellyn, IL, we provide artisan training and sustainable job opportunities for women resettled in the Chicagoland area.

    Using donated and purchased materials, refugee women handcraft beautiful, one-of-a-kind bags, accessories, and home goods — each piece carefully stitched with a story of resilience, hope, and new beginnings. Our mission is to weave community and opportunity together, creating a space where women can thrive economically, socially, and creatively.

    When you shop Renew, you don’t just purchase a product — you Carry the Story of courage, dignity, and peace.

  • Core Values

    We lead humbly
    We value all people as Jesus does, welcoming everyone with grace and kindness. We respect and honor each person, recognizing them as created in the image of God. We humbly ask God for help, knowing that only He gives the increase.

    We embrace curiosity
    We are open to others' thoughts and opinions, continually learning, and making room for diverse ideas, cultures, and backgrounds.

    We create together
    We prioritize "we" over "me," are team players, collaborative, and bring courage to others. We support one another.

    We pursue excellence
    We hold ourselves to a high standard, make room for growth, and do our very best with what we have.

  • Our Beginning

    Founded in 2009 by Rebecca Sandberg and a team of women in the western suburbs of Chicago, Renew was born out of Christian faith and a desire to live out the call to love the sojourner, widow, and oppressed by creating a place where refugee women could experience community, healing, and dignified work.

    Rooted in friendships with local refugee women, Renew was launched in a tiny 330-square-foot workshop with just a couple of sewing machines and a single student from Somalia. It was established to meet two critical needs: a safe, welcoming community and the opportunity to earn a sustainable income through marketable skills. Today, through the generous support of individuals, local churches, and community partners, Renew has grown into a thriving studio and retail space where displaced women receive holistic care, skills training, flexible employment opportunities, and a loving community. Renew warmly welcomes, employs, and empowers women of all faiths and backgrounds, fostering a community of deep mutual respect, dignity, and belonging.
Learn more about us in our annual report!