Hui is from China and has a diploma in tourism. She arrived in Quebec alone. She started to look for work in her field, but had no success. "Working as a sales-clerck-sorter at Renaissance gives me the local experience I need. I also have regained my self-confidence. The support from counsellors is also great, because they give us advice on looking for work."
Renaissance was established in 1994 by the directors of the Moisson Montréal food bank. Initially modeled on European and American social integration enterprises, Renaissance developed an independent approach unique to Quebec. Renaissance is a member of Goodwill Industries International and has belonged to the Collectif des entreprises d'insertion du Québec since 1995. It is accredited by Emploi-Québec and has been officially recognized as a social integration enterprise since 2002.
Because of its ongoing contribution to sustainable development, Renaissance is also registered as a Brundtland Green Establishment.
1994
Birth of Renaissance. Inspired by both European and American job training centres, the directors of the Moisson Montréal food bank developed a unique and independent Quebec model.
1995
Renaissance opens its first Fripe-Prix community boutique, in the building housing its head office, at 7250, Saint-Laurent, in the borough of Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension.
Renaissance becomes a member of Goodwill Industries International and of Le Collectif des entreprises d'insertion.
1996
Renaissance opens its second Fripe-Prix community boutique, on Saint-Jean-Baptiste, in the borough of Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles.
Renaissance obtains its first Emploi-Quebec grant, for integration activities.
1997
Renaissance opens its third Fripe-Prix community boutique, on Masson Street, in the borough of Rosemont–Petite-Patrie.
1998
Renaissance opens its fourth Fripe-Prix community boutique, on Décarie, in the borough of Saint-Laurent.
1999
Renaissance opens its fifth Fripe-Prix community boutique, on Saint-Hubert Street, in the borough of Rosemont–Petite-Patrie.
2000
Start of operations at the Distribution Centre, on Côte-de-Liesse, in the borough of Saint-Laurent.
2001
Renaissance opens its sixth Fripe-Prix community boutique, on Wellington Street, in the borough of Verdun–Île des Sœurs.
2002
Renaissance is officially accredited as a job training centre by Emploi-Quebec and recognized as a social integration enterprise.
2004
Renaissance opens its seventh Fripe-Prix community boutique, on Saint-Jacques, in the borough of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
Thanks to a loan from the Caisse d'Économie Solidaire, Renaissance purchases the building in which they had been renting office space for their head office for ten years.
2005
Renaissance opens its eighth Fripe-Prix community boutique, on Pie IX, in the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
2007
Renaissance opens its ninth Fripe-Prix community boutique, in the Côte-des-Neiges Plaza, in the borough of Côte-des-Neiges–Notre-Dame-de-Grâce.
2008
Renaissance changes its image and innovates, launching both the Station Renaissance concept — permanent donation centres at which attendants welcome donors, and the "Community Boutique" concept.
April 2008. Renaissance inaugurates its new Station Renaissance concept with the opening of the Nun's Island Station–Donation Centre, on chemin du Golf. It enjoys great success, with a donation rate of 350 - 400 donors per week.
Nov-Dec 2008. Renaissance opens three new Station–Donation Centres, in St-Lambert (avenue Victoria), Beaconsfield (boulevard Saint-Charles) and Laval (boulevard Concorde).
2009
Renaissance opens two new Station–Donation Centres, in Dorval (chemin Bord-du-Lac), and LaSalle (boulevard Newman).
Launching of the replacement of Renaissance's fleet of collection trucks, with the purchase of an initial hybrid (electric-biodiesel) truc.
Placement of Renaissance's 2000th participant.